Dr. Arya, 33 years old, grew up and spent his teenage years
in Tatasan, a small hamlet in the village of Tonja in the
northern outskirts of Denpasar. He had a typical Balinese
boyhood flying kites and exploring nearby rivers and rice
fields. Born into a devout family – his father is still
a prominent spiritual figure (Pemangku) in a huge clan - he
came of age in a traditional community, probably the reason
why he ended up with a strong sense of loyalty to his culture
and religion. After completing high school, he attended medical
school at the Wijaya Kusuma University in East Java, graduating
in 2000.
What made you take up work in a community health center (Puskesmas)?
I work in Puskesmas Abiansemal II, Badung. I enjoy working
in the community health center because it gives me a sense
of closeness and intimacy with the villagers, for the most
part simple and down-to-earth people who never fail to give
me a fresh and sometimes astonishing perspective on life.
In a Puskesmas the doctor-patient relationship is much less
formal than what you would find in a hospital or even in private
practice.
What so special about working in a village health clinic?
Being a doctor in a Puskesmas is not only a matter of curing
illness or prescribing drugs but also, to a large extent,
a matter of promoting a healthy life style. We must be able
to both inspire and empower the people to shoulder the responsibility
of maintaining their health. In order to do so, you have to
socialize with them a lot. I really enjoy meeting and conversing
with people.
What is the most difficult aspect of the job at the clinic?
I must say that the prevailing low level of education among
the villagers is my biggest obstacle in conducting my job
in the Puskesmas. A low level of education means a low level
of knowledge and comprehension on health issues. To be able
to maintain his or her health, to pursue a healthy life style,
one must possess a certain level of knowledge about health.
I think one of the most important tasks of Puskesmas is raising
this level of knowledge.
What are the most common ailments and injuries that you see
at the clinic?
The most common cases I run across at my clinic are respiratory
tract infections, followed closely by infections of the digestive
tract. In third place are work-related injuries.
Does the Balinese religion contribute positively to the well-being
and good health of the people?
The Balinese belief system, including its cultural norms and
values, plays an important part in keeping the Balinese people
healthy. Balinese Hinduism emphasizes the importance of harmony
between the physical and spiritual worlds - between body and
soul – as well as the calm acceptance of suffering as
the result of our own past deeds.
Several rituals, such as Melukat or Guru Piduka, are specifically
held to cleanse the individual, to restore his or her harmony,
to re-balance his or her life. It is no wonder that the Balinese
victims of the recent terrorist bombings could quickly recover
from the psychological trauma caused by the inhumane attacks.
The psychological balance and equanimity they displayed are
the result of the internalized belief system.
Sometimes, however, this belief system works against modern
medicine. Even nowadays, with all the miracles of modern medicine,
a large number of Balinese are still placing their trust on
the traditional, shamanist Balian healers instead of seeking
advice from a trained doctor.
We must find a middle way to integrate the traditional belief
system with modern medicine, incorporating the spiritual,
harmony-oriented, psychologically-satisfying traditional medicine
with the scientific-based, clinically-tested and widely accessible
modern medicine.
Since the start of mass tourism on Bali in the late 70s, has
the health of the Balinese improved or worsened?
Tourism is a double edged dagger. The money, information and
technology it has brought to the island has enabled the local
government and private sectors to educate the public and to
establish modern health facilities and systems. On the other
hand, modern life styles and the subcultures it has created
have also “introduced” modern health problems
such as drug use and HIV/AIDS to Bali.
What are the most serious problems among Balinese mothers
and children?
Compared to 15 or 30 years ago, the health of mothers and
children are much better now. The consistently declining mortality
rate among mothers and infants is a clear indicator of continuously
improving health care. Bali has no serious problems in this
area, only a few cases of malnutrition among children and
complications during labor that was assisted by untrained
traditional midwives.
What can the Balinese do to improve their health and well-being?
Balinese must be more receptive to modern medical science
without putting aside the traditional healers (Balian). In
other words, they must learn which cases are to be referred
to medical science and which cases are best suited for Balian.
Balinese also must consult their medical practitioners more.
Can the local and national governments be doing more to improve
the health of the Balinese people?
Despite various achievements that the central and provincial
governments have made in the health sector, they still have
a lot of work to do. Providing the people with a comprehensive
health insurance system which would enable less fortunate
citizens to seek and receive appropriate medical treatment
and services should be their top priority.
Is there one single improvement that can save and prolong
lives on Bali?
Balinese must understand their religion and culture more substantially
and not just focus on the rituals and cultural ornaments.
Balinese Hinduism must return to their root teachings of the
Wedha (Hinduism’s holy book). That way, they can find
their own identity as Balinese Hindus. Its religion is what
makes Bali so popular in the world. If Balinese Hinduism follows
the true path as laid out in the Wedha, I believe that the
people will learn the self confidence necessary to help them
survive in spite of the interferences and negative influences
of other cultures that can harm Bali.
Dr. Arya Widiyana be may contacted from 6 to 8 pm Monday to
Thursday at his general practice in Apotik Pondok Indah, Jl.
Buluh Indah, Denpasar, tel: 0361-742-9417.
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact : pakbill2003@yahoo.com
Copyright@2006 Al Hickey
You can read all past articles of Siapa at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz
