Health Centers Must Not Turn Down Poor Patients: Official

Bontang - The Governor of East Kalimantan, Awang Faroek, has urged local hospitals and community health centres (PUSKESMAS) to not refuse treatment to poor patients. "I hope health service can be provided to the nation¿s citizens without considering their social status. I have already asked all local hospitals and clinics not to refuse [to treat or admit] patients just because they are poor," Faroek said during the opening of the 24-hour PUSKESMAS at Bontang Lestari sub-district on Tuesday. He added that the establishment of the 24-hour PUSKESMAS reflected the government's commitment to provide health services to all citizens. "Even if a patient cannot afford to pay, the medical officer should provide medical aid first, because life comes first. We provide health insurance and social security, so there is no reason to reject a patient," Faroek stated. He said the local government of East Kalimantan would continue to improve health services by providing better facilities at hospitals, setting up health centres at rural areas, and increasing the number of medical personnel. "We will continue balancing the ratio of citizens and medical personnel. Therefore, we try to add more medics by improving the local human resources and increasing the number of vocational schools for health," Faroek explained. As a matter of fact, the local government of East Kutai sub-district has cooperated with the medical school of Hasanuddin University to produce more doctors. "However, in the near future, we must be able to do it by ourselves, so we can supply enough doctors to hospitals and health centres all over East Kalimantan," Faroek said. (*)