(5/1/2010)
When it comes to Bali's "Rumah Senyum" or the "house of smiles" - Bali's governor Made Mangku Pastika and Australian Ambassador Bill Farmer are in complete agreement: those behind the effort to treat cranial-facial deformities in Bali are playing an important role in improving the health of the Balinese people.
Quoted by the national news agency Antara, governor Pastika said: "Not only the people of Bali, but also for the entire Indonesian public, profits by receiving medical treatment via Rumah Senyum."
Pastika and Farmer were on hand at the recent formal inauguration of the "Rumah Senyum" facility located bear Bali's Sanglah General Hospital. The "Rumah Senyum" was launched by the Smiles Foundation as an accommodation center for patients and families receiving surgical treatment for craniofacial disabilities at Bali's main hospital.
The governor praised the operation of the foundation's Rumah Senyum, saying: "I strongly support this private sector initiative. I also thank the government of Australia which contributes doctors for this program. Let's also remember that patients treated here are not charged a single rupiah. They are treated, cared for and undergo operations with a part of the costs covered by our government in cooperation with the Senyum Foundation."
The outgoing Australian Ambassador, Bill Farmer, also lavished praise on the work of the foundation: "This is all evidence of the shared concern of our people for the unfortunate suffering among us. We are clearly thankful that there are still citizens who care and we support such efforts."
The Rumah Senyum is comprised of a reception area including an examination room and treatment room, an isolation room, accommodation rooms, a kitchen and an office.
A spokesperson for the Foundation, Helena S. Arway, emphasized that all services to patients are provided free-of-charge, providing they can demonstrate genuine need. Many patients also come from outside Bali for treatment in Bali.
The foundation is funded through donations from Indonesia and abroad. The Smiles Foundation also operates several stores selling donated items in order to raise funds to cover patient care.
Related Site
[Yayasan Senyum – Bali Smiles Foundation]
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