Labuan Bajo, Tourism Cities Without Hospitals

West Manggarai capital, on the island of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province, has become a powerful magnet in the siphon tourists, especially from abroad. The city is a gateway to the ancient reptile habitat dragons (Varanus komodoensis), which is also the icons and pride of West Manggarai.
Based on the records of Culture and Tourism of West Manggarai, the trend of foreign tourist arrivals to Hong Kong from the years 2009-2011 on the rise. In 2009 approximately 30,415 people, in 2010 reached 41 707 people, and in 2011 grew to 50,000 people.
This condition is of course the consequences of the Government demanding the West Manggarai able to provide services and facilities to international standard tourism. It is important, in addition to maintaining a positive image, as well as provide comfort and satisfaction for tourists.
Ironically, until now, the West Manggarai not have a hospital. Far from the hospital (RS) international, general hospitals were not there. Health services in Labuan Bajo had only served at the clinic.
"My mother was suffering from a tumor in 2008 had to be rushed to Denpasar. I am very anxious time, gratitude can be handled properly, "said Serin (30), a resident of Labuan Bajo.
Dewi Anggraeni, Labuan Bajo another resident, added, only people from the affluent families could survive. "At least, if the patient would be referred to the nearest hospital was to Ruteng, Manggarai. However, it takes about four hours by road, not to mention expensive transportation costs. Especially if you are referred to a hospital in Ende, transportation costs approximately USD 1.5 million. Travel time about 12 hours. Mothers who want to give birth can trigger death in the street, "said Dewi.
In fact, for heart patients, for example, should be referred to Bali or Java. That is, if the patient is difficult to get a flight ticket from Labuan Bajo. The problem, though there are three airlines serving the route-Labuan Bajo or Labuan Bajo-Denpasar-Kupang-Surabaya-Jakarta, available seats are always filled. Moreover, the frequency of flights is only one time for each airline. Seat capacity per aircraft was only about 52 people.
Travelers complain
Chief Administrative Subdivision Komodo National Park, Heru Rudiharto argued, from the experience of the four dragons bite cases in 2009-2011, of which two of the victims to be flown to Denpasar.
"If the smaller dragon bite cases, still be treated at the health center Labuan Bajo. However, if the case is very big bite, had to be rushed to Denpasar. Around the year 2010, there were two victims were flown to Denpasar since suffered severe injuries, "said Heru.
Chief Executive Officer of Destination Management Organization (DMO) Flores Adi Soenarno hope Regency West Manggarai explains, many people were complaining and they are worried that the visit to Labuan Bajo because there is no hospital.
From the characteristics of tourists who visit the West Manggarai, dominated by tourists from Australia, most of which comes from young ages who love adventure, and followed the elderly.
"This group is a lot of travelers are thinking about it first to Labuan Bajo. They fear that their children have diarrhea, no hospital can be used as a reference, "said Adi.
The construction of a government hospital in Kuala Lumpur has been started in 2007 with funding from local budgets. However, the development was stagnant, stagnating budgets besides funding, also a number of cases of alleged corruption.
Regent West Manggarai Augustine Ch Dula admitted that he had lobbied the central government since 2010 to help accelerate the completion of the construction of hospitals Komodo costs around Rp 104 billion. However, borrowing funds from the center can not be given at that time because it hampered the district government accountability issues in the report. Assessment of the current CPC disclaimer. New in 2011, the West Manggarai regency accountability reports a qualified Uncategorized.
"PIP (Government Investment Center) has also been willing to disburse loans for the year 2013. Construction of a hospital requires a great expense, and we desperately need the help center. Weight at all if we only rely on a limited budget, "said Augustine. We await implementation.


Source: http://travel.kompas.com/read/2012/11/17/09560334/