BLITAR – Blitar hospital parking fees are under strong review after the City Legislative Council (DPRD) pushed for free parking at RSUD Mardi Waluyo. Lawmakers say the current charges still create extra financial pressure for patients’ families.
The proposal appeared during discussions of the Regional Government Accountability Report (LKPj). Through the special committee, DPRD asked the city government to consider removing parking fees at the regional public hospital.
Nuhan Eko Wahyudi, a member of the DPRD special committee for the LKPj review, said the idea came from the daily struggles faced by families of hospitalized patients.
According to him, many relatives must travel in and out of the hospital several times a day. As a result, parking fees become an additional cost that families must continue to pay.
“If patients’ families have to go in and out repeatedly, parking becomes an extra cost. This is something we believe needs serious consideration,” he said on Sunday.
He explained that parking revenue does bring some income to the hospital. However, he believes the amount is not significant when compared with the benefits residents would receive from free parking.
“Financially, there may be some income from parking, but we also need to calculate the social impact on the community,” said the PPP politician.
Moreover, lawmakers believe free parking could become part of broader efforts to improve public services. They say the policy would help create a more citizen-friendly healthcare environment in Blitar.
He added that easier access to hospital services would improve the public image of the city government. It could also show stronger support for residents during difficult medical situations.
“This would certainly become added value for the city government, especially in terms of public services that are more friendly to residents,” he explained.
The proposal entered the discussion during the LKPj plenary session. Now, DPRD is waiting for the Blitar city government to decide whether it will follow up on the recommendation.
“We have submitted this proposal to the Mayor of Blitar during the recent LKPj session, and we hope it will receive serious consideration,” he concluded.