Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi noted here Friday that the Surabaya city government had communicated and discussed with the rectors and the Indonesian Hospital Association (Persi) on Surabaya being selected as a pilot project for medical tourism.
"By God's will, we will launch the program on September 27," Cahyadi remarked.
The mayor believes that Surabaya being chosen as a pilot project for medical tourism will change the people's tendencies of travelling abroad for medical services and instead go for a better option in Indonesia, especially health services in Surabaya.
Related news: Indonesia plans to develop medical tourism sector
"We have taken all steps. We just need to implement the 3G -- gercep, geber, and gas pol (work fast) -- that was highlighted by Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno," he remarked.
Uno earlier noted that based on the available data, several residents of Surabaya had traveled abroad for their medical services.
Hence, he noted that Surabaya along with two other cities -- Jakarta and Medan -- were selected to be pilot projects for medical tourism in Indonesia.
"We have just established three cities as pilot projects for medical tourism. In the midst of this pandemic, it is the right time to reorganize," Uno remarked.
He later stated that through medical tourism, the government was keen to encourage the medical industry in Indonesia, especially in Surabaya, to provide better services and human resources in the medical field. People are also expected to have wider options to meet their medical requirements through the launch of medical tourism.
Related news: COVID wake up call for Indonesia to improve medical industry capacity
Translator: Abdul Hakim, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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