When in Doubt, Don't

(10/18/2008)

After a process consuming more than one year of meetings and consultations between the Governor, members of the Provincial House of Representatives (DPR) and the Ministry of Health - a final decision has been reached on the new name for Bali's Sanglah General Hospital. Well, sort of.

[See: Bali's Sanglah Hospital Awaits its New Name]

Indonesia's Minister of Health, Siti Fadilah Supari, told the press in Bali on October 14, 2008, that after much deliberation a decision had been reached to, errr, well, make no decision. Explained Minister Supari: "In my hands are two proposed names. These two names represent the best, each with good qualities. Rather than face the confusion as to whose name will replace the name of the Sanglah General Hospital, it's best that we don't bother and leave the name just as it is."

The Minister's decision, or lack of one, marks the end of a process that included the creation of a special team that reviewed an initial list of 10 names, narrowing the list down to the remaining two finalists: Dr. A.A. Made Djelantik and Prof. dr. I Gusti Ngoerah Gede Ngoerah.

Displaying a lack of decisiveness very much in current fashion in Jakarta, the Minister told the Bali Post: "many people have made recommendations regarding the two finalists and rather than raise hostility by choosing a final name, it's better we just leave the names as Rumah Sakit Sanglah."

The Head of RS Sanglah, Dr. Lanang M. Ridiartha diplomatically rejoined: "We happily receive the Minister's decision. The name is unimportant, what matters is that we continue to provide the best service."