Ease Access to Foreign Health Workers and Equipment: Kadin

Semarang, Central Java. Better health care through easing restrictions on foreign doctors and imported medical equipment is key to improving living standards and economic efficiency, members of a business lobby group heard on Tuesday.

"The public's access to health care remains low, as a result of limited services, and poor distribution and quality of medical workers," James Riady, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and

Industry (Kadin) deputy chairman for education and health, said during the body's national congress in Semarang on Tuesday.

Disparities in health care across regions and economic groups should be minimized swiftly, said James, who is also chief executive of Lippo Group, owner of Siloam Hospitals, which operates 10 facilities.

James said that company employees only work effectively when their health is secure. To achieve that goal, James said, it is essential that the new Social Security Organizing Body (BPJS) operates effectively.

James said that Indonesia lacks quality doctors and other medical professionals and that the government should lift the ban on foreign medical workers so that the BPJS program can be successful.

"Kadin Indonesia wants to see red tape cut, including regulations that hinder businesses catering to the welfare of the public, such as the health sector," James said.

"How can hospitals provide sufficient quality and affordable services under the BPJS program when the equipment needed is expensive," James said in reference to the luxury goods sales tax, which applies to medical equipment.

Kadin Indonesia's health committee chairman Dr. Adib Yahya said that improving the quality of human resources in the health sector would require innovation and improved access to health education, including sufficient field practice to sharpen skills.

However, Adib said, substandard infrastructure and the small number of health facilities that work in conjunction with the health education system was limiting the quality of training available.

Adib echoed James's complaint about expensive import duties on health equipment, saying the tax led to a scarcity of sophisticated equipment.

He added that the luxury tax on health equipment had also put access to quality health care out of reach of many people.

Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi in her opening address said: "Health care never really came for free. The government has long provided subsidies for health services, so any assumption that such care was free is mistaken. There were definitely expenses.

"I support the revocation of luxury goods sales tax for medical equipment in order that hospitals can provide better services, with better equipment, purchased at more affordable prices. And that can be covered by BPJS."

(source: www.thejakartaglobe.com)