Three big hospitals to have name changed

JAKARTA (JP): Three major hospitals have been taken over by the government and will have their names changed to dispel the perception that they are still under a foundation chaired by former president Soeharto, a minister said yesterday.

The three are Harapan Kita Coronary Hospital, the Anak Bunda Harapan Kita Hospital for maternity and pediatric care and the Dharmais Cancer Hospital, all located on Jl. Letjen S. Parman in West Jakarta.

Minister of Health Farid A. Moeloek said the name changes were proposed by legislators who were concerned that the hospitals would inherit a negative image if they were perceived to be under the management of a foundation associated with the former president.

It is not known when the names of the three hospitals will be formally changed or what names they will assume.

Antara quoted Moeloek as saying that the hospitals' managements had been fully taken over by the government.

He said the government would maintain the role of the three hospitals as national referral hospitals because of the sophisticated equipment and high-quality medical staff available at them.

He pointed out that the three hospitals were good training grounds for pediatricians along with heart and cancer specialists.

Nevertheless, he said there would be major restructuring in the running of the hospitals, including a cross-subsidy scheme so the hospitals could fully cater to the needs of the general public.

Doctors and employees of the three hospitals would be regarded as civil servants.

The three hospitals were previously under the management of foundations chaired by former president Soeharto.

However, since his resignation there has been a public outcry for an investigation into his wealth. There has also been a tremendous backlash against anything perceived to be related with Soeharto or his family. (mds)