Semarang, C Java (ANTARA News) - Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said that foreign doctors wishing to implement medical services in Indonesia should be selected according to the application of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA).

"There is an impact of ACFTA implementation in the health sector
like the entry of many foreign doctors into Indonesia, although their number is not high," the minister said here on Saturday.

The health affairs ministry has imposed a number of requirements on foreign doctors who want to open practices in Indonesia, she said, adding that the requirements must be met.
The requirements include mastering the Indonesian language, have a letter of registration (STR), and they can only practice in a designated institution, the minister said.

"They were not allowed to open private practices, and their practice time in Indonesia is also limited, for example, only two to five years," she disclosed.

Although the requirements have been issued in anticipation of foreign doctors having practices in Indonesia, local doctors also have to improve their capabilities, minister Sedyaningsih said.

"The local doctors have to further improve their services to the community, increase their knowledge and technology, and establish good personal relations with their patients," she cited.

In addition, the minister also urged all hospitals across the country never to refuse patients, delay their services, and hold the patients "hostage" due to their failure to pay hospital fees.

"I don`t want that to happen, and I hope it doesn`t happen in Indonesia," she said.
The minister also reminded that security at the hospitals needs to be raised in anticipaton of the undesired matters such as baby kidnapping.

ACFTA has been effective since the beginning of January 2010. (*)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
COPYRIGHT © 2012

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