Health Care In Indonesia

While there is good quality health care available in the large cities of Indonesia, the majority of the people are left to health care provided by the government or some charitable organization.  One of those organizations is NU, the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia.  It represents about 2/3rds of the Muslim people.  They have a number of small, underfunded hospitals though-out the country.  By US standards, the care is sub-standard.  But it is the only care available to those outside the major cities.


We recently spent two days at two NU hospitals in a remote area of Indonesia discussing some needs they have--the two hospitals have 20-25 year old equipment.  They had asked the Church for assistance in meeting some of their needs.   No CT, MRI, etc.  Just a basic chest film machine, basic lab equipment, etc.  Each hospital has around 70 beds. 


In the town of Pati, where one of the hospitals is located, we were taken to the home of the highest spiritual leader (would be considered their prophet) of NU.  We visited for about 15 minutes and had our picture taken with him.  This is considered a great honor to be invited into his home.  His wife had some connection to the local hospital. 

 Two children on IVs--yes those are wooden IV poles!  Note they are outside--most rooms open to the outside.  They still have 6-8 bed wards with no air conditioning.  They had a few private rooms with A/C--but still not anything we would want to stay in.  Cats roam the grounds and hallways and everyone seems happy!

 The nurse's station in the Intensive Care Unit.  You can see the beds while sitting at the desk!

 One of the Intensive Care Unit beds--each hospital had 4-6 bed units.

An isolation room within the ICU. 

 

Here we are with the NU leader in his home.  On the right is the Mission President, President Groberg.  He is a physician and has an outstanding command of the indonesian language.