Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has ordered provincial health officials to block access to health insurance coverage for people consuming alcoholic beverages.
Pastika said he was upset when he heard people had died drinking arak - a traditional alcoholic beverage made of rice - mixed with hazardous substances.
" *The arak drinkers* lead themselves into unhealthy lifestyles. What's more saddening, they were crazy enough to mix the elixir with dangerous chemicals such as methanol and even fertilizer," Pastika said.
Eleven men died consuming the beverage in several areas in Tabanan, Badung and Denpasar last week, while dozens of others remain in critical condition.
Many locals consume arak when celebrating holidays. Last week, Balinese Hindus observed the Galungan and Kuningan religious holidays.
"Religious holidays were supposed to remind people to return to the righteous path. Instead they gamble and drink," Pastika said.
The governor added that people receiving medical treatment for alcohol abuse did not deserve health insurance coverage.
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The health scheme targets the 2.5 million people in
Bali Health Agency said Mandiri Health Insurance scheme had already absorbed Rp 20.8 billion during the period from January to May. The total health allocation in 2010 for the scheme will be Rp 181 billion.
"The Mandiri Health Insurance Scheme was funded by the provincial budget, which came from public taxes. Basically, the money comes from our people.
"Therefore, it is unfair for drinkers to spend people's money to take care of their health problems," Pastika added.
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