Our reputation will be ugly if there are many sick tourists who cannot be treated. Therefore, we specifically built a good hospital with great equipment, and there are specialist doctorsLabuan Bajo, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin on Friday invited local youths to take advantage of the ministry's specialty doctor scholarship.
"It is impossible and takes a long time for specialty doctors to come from Jakarta. There must be youths in the regions who become specialists and work here," he said during a visit to Labuan Bajo on Friday.
While inaugurating a new building at Komodo Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Labuan Bajo, he emphasized the importance of specialty doctors in supporting hospital services.
Related news: Indonesian mothers' health remains matter of concern: BKKBN
According to him, the presence of specialty doctors in Labuan Bajo is crucial because it has been designated as one of the super-priority tourism destinations in the country.
The ministry is offering 1,500 specialty doctor scholarships in 2022 and 2,500 awardees in 2023. With this quota, the ministry is hoping to get quality doctors who can serve the regions.
"Our reputation will be ugly if there are many sick tourists who cannot be treated. Therefore, we specifically built a good hospital with great equipment, and there are specialist doctors," he said.
He emphasized the importance of equitable distribution of health services throughout districts/cities in Indonesia for treating catastrophic illnesses such as heart, stroke, cancer, and kidney disease.
Related news: Ben Mboi Hospital should maintain services quality: Minister
He pointed out that services for these four catastrophic diseases are still concentrated in Java and parts of Sumatra. Therefore, the ministry is working to ensure that people in eastern regions, such as Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Papua, Maluku, and Kalimantan, can get access to treatment of the same quality.
The push for specialty doctors in regions is a part of a massive transformation of the health sector to ensure equitable services for all Indonesians.
During his working visit to West Manggarai, Sadikin visited the Labuan Bajo Port Health Office and the Labuan Bajo Local Health Center. He also interacted with local stakeholders and provided many inputs for improving services to the community.
Related news: Ministry aims to reduce maternal deaths by 2024
Related news: Women's reproductive health issues need more attention: BKKBN
Translator: Fransiska N, Kenzu
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
