The Jakarta Post

Riau Islands considers hiring foreign doctors

Fadli , The Jakarta Post , Tanjung Pinang | Tue, 04/08/2008 11:51 AM

Riau Islands province has proposed a plan to accept expatriate physicians at its state-run and private hospitals in a bid to improve medical services.

Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah told The Jakarta Post on Saturday the presence of foreign doctors was expected to attract local patients to seek services at local health facilities rather than overseas.

"We hope that in the early stage senior foreign doctors are allowed to become consultants in state-run and private hospitals. We will propose the plan to the Health Ministry for approval," said Ismeth, adding they would also approach the Indonesian Doctors Association.

Many patients from Indonesia, especially in the province, reportedly prefer to seek medical treatment in Singapore and Malaysia due to better services provided by prestigious hospitals there.

Each year no fewer than 50,000 Riau Islands residents visit the two countries for medical checkups, with each person spending between Rp 25 million (approximately US$2,700) and Rp 40 million.

"We want our residents to have confidence in the medical services provided in their own country. Imagine just how much money we could keep from leaving if they sought treatment here," said Ismeth.

As an initial step, the provincial administration is building a 30,000 square meter state-run hospital on a 5-hectare site.

The type-B hospital, with a cost of some Rp 132.9 billion (US$14.76 million), officially commenced April 5 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

Ismeth said another reason to accept foreign doctors in local hospitals was to gain foreign investors' confidence in setting up businesses here.

Riau Islands Health Office head Munzir Purba said the province ranked at the top nationally in medical services and facilities, as measured by such criteria as the ratio of doctors and hospitals to the number of patients.

Currently, a doctor serves 25,000 patients in Riau Islands, far above the national average of one per 100,000 patients.

Despite that, many people still prefer to seek treatment in the neighboring countries due to equal medical costs but better services.

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