Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin collaborate on transforming the Sumber Waras site into an international-standard hospital to reduce Indonesians’ reliance on overseas medical care.
Anung has recently announced plans to transform the land of Sumber Waras Hospital in West Jakarta into an international hospital. The Jakarta Provincial Government, furthermore, has prepared approximately 3.6 hectares of land for the development.
“We will immediately begin preparations to develop the 3.6-hectare site, which is highly suitable to become an international hospital in Jakarta,” Anung told the press at the Indonesian Ministry of Health building on Tuesday, the 28th of October.
Anung said this plan followed the Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi or KPK)’s recent decision to halt its investigation into the purchase of the Sumber Waras Hospital land. He stated that the land belongs to the Jakarta Provincial Government.
“The location is very strategic [as well], as it is close to other private hospitals,” Anung added.
Regarding the development plan, the Jakarta Provincial Government has proposed two options to the Indonesian Ministry of Health: First, the Provincial Government hopes that the hospital project will be included in the list of National Strategic Projects as stipulated in Government Regulation Number 42 of 2021. Second, if it is not included in the list of National Strategic Projects, the Jakarta Provincial Government will continue construction using regional funding, while seeking support from the Indonesian Ministry of Health for the provision of medical equipment instead.
On the same occasion, Sadikin expressed his support for the Jakarta Provincial Government’s plan. He also stated that the aim of establishing an international hospital is to reduce the need for Indonesians to seek medical treatment abroad.
“This is to reduce the number of patients travelling overseas, as many people from Jakarta still go abroad for treatment. This is also in line with the President’s directive to develop high-quality hospitals,” the minister said.
However, no final decision has yet been made, as Sadikin also divulged that discussions regarding the finer details are still ongoing, particularly concerning financing options for the construction of the international hospital.
“We’re also discussing the importance of ensuring that the doctors being recruited would meet international standards, so that we can truly discourage affluent Jakartans from going abroad for healthcare,” Sadikin added.