Getting Dr. Doolittle to Do Less

(12/17/2012)

The Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Veterinarians (PDHI) is complaining about the growing number of foreign vets practicing on the Island.

PHDI claims the foreign doctors are working illegally and, in fact, bring no special additional skill in caring for Bali’s animal population.

As reported by NusaBali, PHDI’s director for Bali, Doctor Ni Made Restiati, says the illegal foreign veterinarians are operating in the Gianyar, Kuta and Sanur areas.

Restiati, who is also a local veterinarian, insists Indonesian vets are not afraid of foreign competition. But, at the same time, she says the foreign doctors setting up shop in Bali are not specialists, insisting foreign doctors should only be allowed to practice when they bring a new skill or medical specialty not possessed by local veterinarians.

She went on to describe how foreign doctors initially visit the island as volunteers, see opportunities for setting up a profitable veterinarian practice and then open a business. The 600 Indonesian veterinarians working in Bali are reportedly made uneasy by the establishment of animal hospitals that threaten the future existence of smaller, locally owned, veterinarian practices.

One business mentioned by Restiati is a new animal clinic opened in Kuta employing foreign doctors and performing operations without the required permission of PDHI Bali.

PHDI Bali has not issued a single recommendation for a veterinarian practice on the Island.

The PHDI is calling on the government to enforce the law on the employment of foreign nationals in Bali and take steps against illegal animal hospital and foreigner working in such establishments.

Vet International Shut Down

DenPost reports that in response to complaints from the PHDI, authorities have close Vet International – an animal hospital operating in the Badung Regency. Vet International has received a formal warning from the Livestock, Fisheries and Seas Department (Disnakanlut) to stop receiving patients until they hold all the legal permits needed to operate a veterinarian clinic.

Made Badra of Disnakanlut has warned that is Vet International continues to illegally accept patients his office will prosecute the company to a maximum extent of the law.

DenPost says Vet International has been in operation for the past two months. Complaints by PHDI members prompted officials to check the company’s licenses and permits. That inspection, according to Badra, discovered that the company held none of the permits and licenses required under law.

Badra also called on immigration authorities to investigate the legal standing of the two foreign doctors reported by PHDI and presumed to be employed by Vet International.