Medical disciplinary council to open branches

The Indonesian Medical Disciplinary Council, the sole authority for resolving malpractice complaints, plans to open branches in several regions.

Council deputy chairman Sabir Alwy said on Friday in a malpractice discussion at the Health Ministry that his council had proposed new branches in at least two regions next year.

The council now has one branch in Central Java. It hopes to erect branches in East Java and North Sumatra, he said.

"We plan to open branches in the regions so that it will be easier for people to send complaints related to medical malpractice," he said.

He said the existence of the council was barely known in some regions. "We still have problems disseminating the council and its function," he said.

The council also plans to open branches in South Sulawesi and East Kalimantan. "But that is our next target. East Java and South Sumatra will be  prioritized," he said.

Over the past five years, the council has received 127 complaints; most issued in Jakarta, Banten, East Java and West Java.

"We have had 70 complaints from Jakarta only. Complaint numbers from regions outside of Java were lower because people have limited access [to us]," he said. (lfr)