It’s Time to Evaluate National Health System, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi inaugurates Tower A and Tower B of dr. Soedarso regional public hospital in Bangka Belitung Laut Village, Pontianak District in West Kalimantan provincial capital of Pontianak, Tuesday (09/08/2022) afternoon. (Photo: Humas Setkab/Jay)

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many lessons, including the need to evaluate the country’s national health system that are considered to still have many shortcomings and need improvements, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“We have learned a lot from the pandemic in the past two years. We were able to see how our national health system works, things that need improvements, delays that require acceleration, tools we need to purchase. Everything becomes visible. When we suffer, everything becomes clearly visible. When we face the health crisis due to the pandemic, everything can be clearly seen. The incorrect parts become visible. The delay becomes visible. Thus, we need to improve things that are less visible,” the President said during the inauguration of Tower A and Tower B of dr. Soedarso regional public hospital in Bangka Belitung Laut village, Pontianak district in West Kalimantan provincial capital of Pontianak, Tuesday (09/08).

The Head of State expressed belief that the hospital, which sits in an area of 26.63 hectares and is equipped with modern facilities, is able to serve and treat cases or illnesses.

Therefore, it is hoped that people in West Kalimantan province, especially in Pontianak, do not have to go abroad for medical treatment.

“It saddens me to hear that when our citizens get sick, they go abroad – to Malaysia, to Singapore. Some go to Japan, some to the United States. And in particular for West Kalimantan people, I heard many people go to Kuching. How much is our outflow? The money that goes out to pay for the overseas medical treatment is more than Rp110 trillion every year,” he said, adding that the hospital’s development was initiated after West Kalimantan Governor visited the President and requested assistance for medical equipment.

“(The development) costs Rp205 billion. The medical equipment is also around Rp200 billion. This is what we call mutual cooperation. We needed money because the hospital was not ready. I checked earlier that there were 277 beds. I checked the operating room, the ICU, and everything. It is super modern. So let me remind you all that we don’t need to go abroad (for treatment) anymore. It is enough to treat existing cases here,” the President said.

Meanwhile, West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji said that the hospital would not be categorized by class, but by types of illness suffered by the patients instead.

“This hospital will not be run by classes, Mr. President, because we believe that classes in hospital should be decided based on types of illness. So, it is not determined based on the financial ability,” he remarked. (TGH/AIT/UN) (AY/EP).