"Labuan Bajo has a far greater advantage, in terms of the destination, with its tourism, and the opportunity for developing health tourism is very much open," he informed Antara in Kupang, Friday.
Lena spoke of his earlier visit to review the condition of health facilities at several hospitals in Labuan Bajo, including the Komodo Hospital and the Siloam Labuan Bajo Hospital.
Lena praised the management of the two hospitals for their conscious preparations as an anticipatory measure in the face of ever-increasing tourism development in Labuan Bajo.
He further added that the two hospitals had more adequate facilities and medical staff, so they can currently serve patients from various regions, including foreigners visiting the area.
"The need for tools and medical personnel for the coverage of diseases and treatments also comes under the preventive domain that is still required for tourism purposes," he stated.
Lena cited the example of specialist doctors, such as ophthalmologists and radiologists, in Siloam Hospital across the entire mainland of Flores Island.
Furthermore, he stated that Siloam Hospital also had a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to treat underwater diving decompression.
The capsule-shaped device averts risks of patients entering a fatal state or having them referred to Denpasar, Bali.
Hence, the representative from the East Nusa Tenggara electoral area is upbeat about synergistic cooperation among various parties driving health tourism in Labuan Bajo.
Lena believes that Labuan Bajo can take a cue from Penang, Malaysia, where the region is growing rapidly, as it combines quality health care and tourism.
Related news: Labuan Bajo commercial zone's construction to complete by 2020
Related news: Komodo Island to be developed into very exclusive tourist attraction EDITED BY INE
Translator: Aloysius Lewokeda/Aria Cindyar
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
