City council passes regional health bylaw

The city council approved Tuesday a new bylaw on the regional health system that will demand a maximum 15 percent budget of the annual regional budget be allocated to health.

Governor Fauzi Bowo said the budget allocation would be implemented step by step depending on the situation in each administration.

“It will depend on the region’s capabilities. It cannot be forced. If budget funding is available then I do think there will be a problem,” he said following the plenary session.

Deputy governor Prijanto however questioned Article 30 of the bylaw regarding the allocation amount for the annual health budget, claiming it needed further clarification.

“I think people need to remember we are talking about 15 percent as a maximum allocation for the budget. I am still wondering what that will mean, considering we cannot surpass this figure,” he said.

The administration plans to spend Rp 1.7 trillion (US$ 170 million), or 7.6 percent of this year’s Rp 22.4 trillion budget, on health. This budget figure was up 7 percent compared to the Rp 1.59 trillion allocated in 2008.

Fauzi said the bylaw aimed to provide better health services, particularly for people from low-income households.

He said a form of regulation, such as a gubernatorial decree, should be devised to ensure doctors and hospitals do not turn away patients who cannot afford treatment.

“I think more details are required, and agree there should be punishments administered to those who do this [turn people away]. A regulation without effective punishments and execution is not a good regulation,” he said.

According to Article 63 of Chapter 9 of the bylaw, any individual or legal institution that refuses to treat referred patients will face fines of Rp 50 million or a six month jail sentence.

Furthermore, those who violate the articles can have their medical permits revoked.