Doctors prescribe community program

The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has urged the government to focus on sustainable community programs to promote better health, rather than the difficult-to-implement stop-gap free health service measures currently in place.

"The free medical treatment is OK, but it's like putting out fires instead of preventing them," IDI chairman Fachmi Idris said Tuesday.

"The community health program promotes long-term public awareness of health as well as providing the poor with access to medical treatment."

The World Bank recently reported that the performance of Indonesia's current healthcare system was inadequate. The survey found the country was still struggling to achieve important health targets, especially among the poor.

To ensure those living under the poverty line get access to medical care, the government has introduced the free medical treatment only for hospitalization.

Contrary to the aim of the government program, the IDI prefers a community health approach that includes education, prevention and healthcare.

The IDI-sponsored program has been implemented in several areas in Indonesia, including in Bontang in East Kalimantan, and Padang Panjang, Solok and Tanah Datar in West Sumatra. Residents of those areas have access to health services through family health service units.

According to Fachmi, one general practitioner was needed for 2,500 people. The pilot project found only 10 percent of them fell sick each month, and only 8 percent of these required hospitalization.

The IDI is urging the government to pay the doctors adequate salaries to keep them focused on educating people. More serious diseases will require the involvement of specialists, the IDI added.

Fachmi said the program would need at least 88,000 general practitioners to serve the entire population of more than 220 million.

"Unfortunately, we only have about 50,000 general practitioners today. We can perhaps achieve the desired number in 10 years' time," Fachmi said. (naf)