Lack of medical personnel in Warakas Urban Village Community Health Center (Puskesmas), Tanjung Priok Sub-District, North Jakarta, makes the healthcare services given to the residents suboptimal. From usually 30 queue numbers provided, only 15 can be served. Suboptimal service in Warakas Puskesmas is deeply regretted, especially because it is the only puskesmas in Tanjung Priok that has maternity room.

For information, Warakas Puskesmas has nine civil servants (PNS) who consist of one general practitioner, one dentist, one dental clinic nurse, three general polyclinic nurses, one administration staff, one nutrition staff, and one pharmacist assistant. Due to the dental clinic nurse is on leave, the services in dental clinic had to be conducted alone by the dentist who is also the Puskesmas Head.

Nino, Warakas Puskesmas Head, admitted about the limited queue numbers. According to him, it happens because as the head of the puskesmas as well as dentist there, he has many invitations that must be attended.

“If I didn’t work double, I’d probably add the patients. In here, there are eight midwives who are contract employees,” stated Nino, Wednesday (5/14).

One of the residents who did not get the queue number is Kusen (50), a resident of RT 01/10 Warakas. He came to the puskesmas bringing his blood sugar level test result to examine whether his tooth could be extracted or not. But when he got the queue numbers counter, there was no queue number left.

“ There is no more queue number. You can come again the day after tomorrow, because tomorrow we’re closed ,” told Ujang, the queue numbers counter officer, to Kusen.