The medical devices were handed over by Ambassador of Russia to Indonesia Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobieva and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to ASEAN Alexander Ivanov to the president director of Persahabatan Hospital, Mohammad Ali Toha, here on Friday.
"The Russian Embassy in Indonesia is always willing to provide any kind of assistance to develop the cooperation between the two countries, including in the health sector," Vorobieva said.
Russia cannot be separated from the history of Persahabatan Hospital.
The hospital, which was originally a branch of the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, was built by Russian engineers in 1961.
The hospital was then officially handed over by the Russian government to the Indonesian government on November 7, 1963.
The date was then commemorated as the anniversary of Persahabatan Hospital, which is celebrated every year by presenting Russian government representatives as permanent guests. The hospital is named Persahabatan, which means friendship.
"This hospital has become a symbol of a strong friendship between Russia and Indonesia, and I am proud that Persahabatan Hospital has developed into one of the national medical centers specializing in respiratory diseases," Vorobieva said.
The ambassador also appreciated the management and administration of Persahabatan Hospital, which continued to care for Russian heritage and maintain facilities that had been installed in the hospital for more than 50 years.
"I know there are still Russian elevators and washing machines that can be used even today," she said.
Meanwhile, Toha hoped that the provision of medical devices from the Russian government could provide the momentum needed to enhance the cooperation of the two countries in the health sector.
He hoped that Indonesian and Russian doctors could take part in an exchange program for knowledge transfer and learn about technological advances in the field of medicine.
"Russia is very successful in tackling tuberculosis, while Indonesia is the second largest country in the number of TB patients. So, we want to learn how a hospital can play a greater role in accelerating TB elimination," Toha said.
He hoped that such cooperation could be immediately realized to welcome the commemoration of 70 years of the Indonesian-Russian Diplomatic Relations in 2020.
"It is said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Indonesia next year, so I hope the realization of this cooperation can be accelerated. We have received an invitation to send doctors to Russia," Toha explained.
Reporting by Yashinta Difa Pramudyani, Libertina W Ambari
Editing by Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
