President Jokowi Inaugurates Tzu Chi Hospital

President Jokowi inaugurates Tzu Chi Hospital, PIK, North Jakarta, Wednesday (06/14). (Photo by: PR/Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (06/14) inaugurated Tzu Chi Hospital at Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta. On the occasion, the President commended the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

“I have just visited treatment facilities, be it for cancer treatment, thalassemia, or bone marrow transplant. I saw exceptionally modern equipment and devices [used at the hospital],” President Jokowi said.

The hospital, which has 576 rooms, is expected to reduce the number of Indonesian citizens seeking medical treatment overseas which has the potential to lessen the country’s foreign exchange. “We lose US$11.5 billion in foreign exchange or Rp170 trillion since our people prefer to seek medical treatment abroad,” the President added.

President Jokowi further said that local doctors are just as smart as doctors in other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan. However, these countries have more advanced medical equipment.

Tzu Chi Hospital offers medical treatment using the cutting-edge medical equipment. The President expressed hope that with the opening of Tzu Chi Hospital, Indonesia’s healthcare services can compete with other countries and the citizens no longer seek treatment abroad. (TGH/UN) (GWH/MMB)