Upscale hospitals are not for everybody's cup of tea

JAKARTA (JP): Staying healthy is the wish of all of us, but there are inevitable times when we have to see a doctor or visit the hospital.

Among its array of medical services, Jakarta boasts upscale hospitals with luxury facilities and sophisticated medical equipment.

Their reputation and relatively high fees are not for everybody. Several Jakartans shared their views on upscale hospitals with The Jakarta Post.

Yati Hariawan, 39, a housewife and mother of three: My family always goes to state-owned hospitals when one of us is ill. Mostly, we go to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital because I think it's relatively cheaper.

It never crosses my mind to go to private hospitals, especially upscale ones. I just can't afford it. I'm afraid that what happened to one of my relatives will happen to me. My sister once had to pay almost Rp 1 million when her son was treated in a private hospital after a small accident. At that time, her son did not even spend the night there.

Marlene Frans, spokeswoman of the Netherlands Tourism Board: I used to go to the MMC Hospital in Kuningan, South Jakarta, when I was ill, availing myself of the facilities provided by the oil company where my father worked.

After getting a job, I moved to another hospital where my company was registered for medical treatment. But, I also often go to clinics.

I don't care much about the luxuriousness of hospitals. The most important thing for me is that they are clean and have good reputations. Above all, I (should) feel OK with the doctor. Once I feel OK with a doctor, I will keep engaging him for medical treatment.

Upscale hospitals are not (necessarily) identical with good service. I know from friends that some upscale hospitals seek to increase their income by improper means, including giving unnecessary medical treatment.

They are only for affluent people, who make up only a small percentage of the population. There are not needed by the majority of the people who currently live in misery and poverty.

Idang Rasyidi, 42, musician: Just like their high-profile status, upscale hospitals should possess high standards of medical treatment and services. They should be supported by qualified human resources, encompassing doctors, nurses and, certainly, their management.

If such hospitals dare to charge expensive fees to their patients, they have to be dare to compete in quality, too, in terms of medical treatments and services.

But the most significant thing is the system, how they manage to have a good system to give the best to the patients.

I have heard that upscale hospitals also serve the needy, but I don't have any ideas about what happens in reality. Let's look at the facts, that there are hospitals which still ignore their patients. There are sick people who need immediate help but are neglected if they cannot afford to pay.

But it's also a matter of morality. Upscale hospitals should be able to help people regardless of their backgrounds.

I don't have anything against upscale hospitals. If I needed it, I would not hesitate to seek good medical treatment there.

Netty B. Rianto, owner of a medical clinic and former chairwoman of the Association of Indonesian Businesswomen: Upscale hospitals are an alternative to seek better medical treatment. I think we do have better hospitals now and there is no need for the haves to go abroad for medical treatment.

For me, it does not matter where you see the doctors, whether in an upscale hospital or in any hospital, as long as they can cure the illness.

I know that upscale hospitals serve the needy and I agree that the government should support them.

But in my opinion, hospitals should not turn themselves into profiteers, they should also prioritize their social roles.

I apply this principle in my clinic.

Sukri, 32, a fried rice vendor and father of one: Don't ask me about going to upscale private hospitals, it's already hard to earn a living these days. How can I afford unnecessary expenses like going to expensive hospitals? For my family, it's always the community health center.

Fortunately, my wife and my child have not fallen sick lately, only small things like cold and fever. Most of the time, I just buy drugs in nearby drugstores and it is cured.

The last time I went to a hospital was when my wife gave birth to our son three years ago.

I don't know that upscale hospitals offer medical services to people like me. But I don't want to try. Even though it's true, I think it will charge me lots of money for this and that, and I think I will not have the money for it.

Muchsin, 40, a government employee: Upscale hospitals enrich the (range of) the country's medical treatment. But if they consider themselves as public hospitals, they should be more "public-oriented". If they charge too much, only certain people can afford them.

They should not operate solely to rake in profits. People come to hospitals to get help, so, help them right away, no matter who they are.

I don't know if upscale hospitals also serve the needy. I think they only care for those who come in with status and money. But it's a good thing if they truly help the poor. It's about time.

But if I'm sick, I don't know whether I will go to upscale hospitals or not. It's already gives me a headache thinking about how I am going to pay the bill.

Intansari Abdams, an employee of the Jakarta Stock Exchange: I know that some upscale hospitals like (Siloam) Gleneagles in Tangerang and MMC in Kuningan provide services to the needy as part of their social mission. But I do not know the percentage and the quality of their services to the lower-income people.

If I seeks treatment from a hospital, I have to really know the doctors who will treat me. That's the most important thing. Just like when I gave birth several months ago, I went to a small clinic close to my house because I knew a doctor who took care of me during the pregnancy.

Soetomo S., 62, an accountant: An upscale private hospital did little help in treating my wife, Ann. She was suffering from partial paralysis on her right side.

At the time, I took my wife to the Pondok Indah Hospital but, after one month's treatment, I didn't see any improvement. I then took her to Australia and she improved.

Now, I will consult with specialists ... but I have not decided whether I will take my wife to another private hospital.

Atmawati, 40, an employee at the state-owned telecommunication company: Once I took my 79-year-old mother suffering from labored breathing to the Harapan Kita Hospital after being referred by specialist.

But my mother did not receive good treatment and the illness got worse.

I decided to take her to a private hospital, the Jakarta Hospital, which gave better treatment to my mother. (01/ste/aly/jsk/lnt)