The widespread practice of veterinary services, either by government or private, has the potential to cause various problems in determining tariff of veterinary practice. Although tariffs and standards of veterinary services vary greatly in terms of therapeutic transaction services type and consulting service related to the type of species, competence levels of accredited expertise, veterinary medical care facilities, and the accordance with the categories and target groups of service users, veterinary service practices still refers to the veterinary ethics.
This was raised in the National Workshop on Standard Rates of Veterinary Practice organized by the Indonesian Veterinary Association Branch of Jogjakarta and Section of Pharmacology, UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The workshop was held at the Faculty’s Auditorium, Saturday (11 / 6). Present as speakers are, among others, Chairman of PB PDHI (Indonesian Veterinary Association), Dr. drh. Wiwiek Bagja, Director of UGM’s Soeparwi Animal Hospital, Prof. Dr. drh. Ida Tjahajati, M.P, practitioners and entrepreneurs of veterinary clinic in Jakarta, drh. Perdana, and practitioners of Griya Satwa Lestari (Animal Care House) Semarang, drh. Anna Ekawati.
Wiwiek Bagja said that veterinarians are expected to still have the awareness and wisdom in fixing tariffs. They have to be wise and strategic in combining compensation for their service while still able to serve pet owners with low economic capabilty. "In fact, reward does not always come in the form of cash," she said.
According to Wiwiek, the image of veterinarians in professional service toward the community can be tainted if there is a ‘price competition’ or try to ruin each other reputation in order to get more clients. Therefore, understanding and application of veterinary professional conduct of veterinarians should be in line with the veterinary ethics guidelines.
Ida Tjahjati said there is no standard rate for veterinary practices in the field. It is adjusted with the conditions in the field and type of medication needed. However, if there is a form of standard tariff agreement, at least, it will make the tariff competition among vets healthy and conducive. Standard tariff will also make the veterinarians act professionally in providing the services. In addition, the standard tariff can also maintain the reputation and dignity of veterinarians and build the image of the veterinary profession toward the better. "In fact, the price competition in the community confuses the public," she said.
Committee chairman of the workshop who is also the Secretary of Indonesian Veterinary Association Branch of Yogjakarta (PDHI DIY),drh. R. Gagak D. Satria, M.P, said the workshop is expected to give proper recommendations for veterinarians’ tariff, both for pets and large animals, in the territory of Yogyakarta and Central Java. "This information is necessary for the practitioners in the field, especially in the implementation of veterinarian codes of conduct to avoid price competition," he concluded.