Mental patients get less meals

Fri, 03/28/2008 11:27 AM  |  City

JAKARTA: Bina Laras mental institution in West Jakarta has cut daily meal money allocated to its patients by almost 30 percent.

Every patient at the institution now only receives Rp 11,000 (US$1.2) per day, lower than previous Rp 15,000, according to Beritajakarta.com, the city administration's official website.

The head of the institution, Sahabuddin Siregar, argued the cut was part of an administration's policy imposed early this month.

"This issue is not our decision. The patients have now to rely on the generosity of donors," he said, refusing to give further comments.

According to Sahabuddin, the institution houses 284 patients, 154 of whom are female.

Furthermore, the institution has been receiving their drugs supply for their patients from a local drugstore, Sahabuddin said. -JP

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