East Java to give free health service by 2010

SURABAYA: The East Java provincial administration will free people from paying the retribution fee at community health centers (puskesmas) by 2010 and will cover the fees, predicted to reach Rp 48 billion, jointly with respective regencies/municipalities in the province. Governor Soekarwo said there were 6.3 million poor families in East Java, many of whom have limited access to health services. The retribution fee covers medical treatment and medicine available at health centers. "If they can afford their medicine of choice, the health centers' physicians will give them a prescription," he said Friday.

There are currently 2,224 community health centers (subpuskesmas), 524 outpatient and 480 inpatient clinics (puskesmas) in the province. - JP