Where's Doc?

From Kompas

On June 20, 1994, at 8:30 a.m., I arrived at the Puskesmas (public health center) of Kembangan district, West Jakarta, to get treatment for diarrhea. At 9:15 the doctor had not yet arrived, and as the pain was getting unbearable, I decided to leave and go to the nearest 24-hour private clinic.

What happened to me also befell others at the Puskesmas. Almost every day the doctor, paramedics and employees arrive for work frustratingly late. Often only a nurse comes to serve the patients and she too arrives late.

I hope the authorities enforce work hour discipline at the Puskesmas where the poorer people go for medical help.

H.S. RUHIYAT

Jakarta