Clinic promotes one-stop service to attract wealthy patients

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a bid to attract wealthy patients, state-owned Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) started a new program Friday -- an integrated, one-stop infertility and endocrinology reproduction service.

Four-year-old Yasmin Clinic at RSCM hospital intended the new concept to offer friendly, quick service to patients, said clinic head Andon Hestiantoro at a re-opening event.

"Many wealthy patients go to Singapore and Malaysia because they enjoy quick and friendly service."

He suggested the level of service could be made available in Indonesia. "Here, people would not have to spend much time waiting for the treatment."

He acknowledged the hospital, along with other state-owned hospitals in the country, had received complaints.

"Opening this service means we have to meet the challenge of doing everything professionally," he told a press conference.

Data from the Singapore Tourism Board showed that more than 400,000 people, including many Indonesians, visited Singapore in 2006 for medical reasons.

Andon said the clinic would offer the entire wide range of care through its six units ---infertility, polycistic ovarium syndrome, endometriosis, menstruation and menopause, repeated miscarriages, and adolescent gynecology.

He added Yasmin Clinic would have 12 specialists including pediatricians, internists, psychologists and nutritionists.

Andon said the clinic would have an invitro fertilization technology center, an X-ray unit and a special patient parking lot.

According to Andon, after opening the first time Yasmin determined administrative reorganization was necessary to provide the health care demanded by patients.

He said doctors had been too busy with activities outside the hospital and non-medical staffers unable to make up the shortfall.

"Some doctors (who lecture at University of Indonesia) find it difficult to arrange appointments with patients as they have tight teaching schedules."

He acknowledged that non-medical staffers -- receptionists, security guards, nurses, and janitors -- had sometimes provided unsatisfactory service in the past.

"Sometimes they are not friendly or fast enough."

Most of patients come to Yasmin because of issues related to menstruation and infertility.

The clinic also deals with many married couples who have infertility problems and might choose to have insemination or invitro fertilization.

"In the past four years, we recorded a successful pregnancy rate of 42.9 percent," Andon said.

The clinic charges from Rp 35 million (US$3,723) to Rp 55 million for invitro fertilization, while a couple would have to pay about Rp 2.5 million for an insemination.(ewd)