Free of Charge Hospital by Dompet Dhuafa Impressed Germany’s Ambassador to Indonesia

BOGOR, INDONESIA – Germany’s Ambassador to Indonesia, George Witschel, was impressed and expressed his admiration for the free-for-the-poor hospital, Integrated Health Unit (aka. RST in Indonesia) Dompet Dhuafa. The impression conveyed during Witschel’s visit to the RST Dompet Dhuafa, Bogor, Indonesia, last Wednesday (14/8/13).

“Very impressive! Dompet Dhuafa is very concerned about the health of the poor. That way, they can get free medical facilities, “said Witschel.

Witschel’s visit was welcomed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dompet Dhuafa, Parni Hadi and Dompet Dhuafa president, Ahmad Juwaini.

“This hospital is catering for the ‘have not’s. The fund was originated from various forms of charities from donors (includes infak, zakat, sadakah), “said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dompet Dhuafa, Parni Hadi.

While in the hospital, which stood on the land with the area of 7,803 m2, Witschel inspected the facilities. He even took time to talk with one of the patients. “Hello, how are you?” he greeted when visited the inpatient ward.

Hospitals such as RST Dompet Dhuafa, said Witschel, does not exist in Germany. Because the German government insures all of its citizens, health-wise.

To support the existence of RST Dompet Dhuafa, Witschel also intends to send some students and doctors from Germany to provide health services in RST Dompet Dhuafa.

In addition to RST, Witschel also visited one of the educational programs championed by Dompet Dhuafa, ‘SMART Ekselensia Indonesia’.At this free school which has an accelerated education program and free boarding for the poor students, Witschel engaged in dialogues with the students who came from various regions in Indonesia.

Seeing first hand the direct results of the empowerment of various forms of charity (zakat, infak, sedekah, and wakaf) operated by Dompet Dhuafa, Witschel assessed that Dompet Dhuafa becomes an inspiration for other civilised societies both nationally and internationally. With a variety of programs in the fields of economics, education, and health, Dompet Dhuafa play a significant role in trying to alleviate poverty in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, President Director of Dompet Dhuafa, Juwaini Ahmad, said that the German ambassador’s visit to RST Dompet Dhuafa reinforces the recognition of the strength of charity by the international world.

“Dompet Dhuafa stareted 20 years ago without a model (of business) and thank God that now it has become a role model for the management of charity in a credible and accountable way in its role in reducing poverty. The Ambassador’s visit to the RST shows that the utilization of charity fund through programs such as RST Dompet Dhuafa and SMART Ekselensia Indonesia is recognised internationally, “said Ahmad.

Previous international recognition and appreciation that showered Dompet Dhuafa also come from organisations such as the Clinton Global Initiative. The Ambassador’s visit to RST Dompet Dhuafa itself is expected to be a positive signal to the public of the power of charity in alleviating poverty. (Tie/gie/Ant).