"With the existence of the Bali International Hospital, we hope that the trend will change, so that Indonesians will prefer to seek treatment in the country rather than abroad," Maharani stated while reviewing the hospital construction with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir here on Monday.
Indonesia loses a potential turnover of Rp97 trillion, or around U$6.4 billion, with two million Indonesians going overseas to seek medical treatment every year.
With the existence of the Bali International Hospital, she expressed hope that the trend of Indonesians going overseas to receive health treatment would change. The hospital development is also aimed at encouraging international-class health tourism in Indonesia, she added.
"We have heard that many Indonesians, who are able to seek treatment abroad, go to Singapore, Malaysia, and so on," she pointed out.
The House speaker stated that construction of the Bali International Hospital is not only about boosting foreign exchange but also advancing the Indonesian health sector.
"To show that Indonesia is capable and that Indonesia is advanced, with its international class health services," she stated.
The Bali International Hospital can increase the added value of Bali Island, as one of the world's top destinations, and offer more choices of tour packages for tourists, Maharani stated.
The Health Special Economic Zone, with an area spanning 42.26 hectares in Sanur, Bali, is targeted to be completed in November 2023, with around 55 percent of the area being a green zone.
Apart from developing Bali International Hospital for which collaboration is forged with the Mayo Clinic, development is also underway for a commercial center, a hotel, a convention center, and an ethnomedicinal botanic garden in Sanur SEZ.
On the same occasion, fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, also reviewed the development site.
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Translator: Melalusa K, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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