Makassar Vertical Hospital is a hospital whose management is handled by the Health Ministry and will provide treatment for brain, heart, and cancer diseases.
The minister said that the vertical hospital was expected to become a center for health services in eastern Indonesia.
"I entrust the governor regarding (aspects pertaining to operating) this hospital. The Makassar Vertical Hospital must be able to cater to the needs of eastern Indonesia, not only Makassar or South Sulawesi," he remarked.
He noted that construction of this hospital would be conducted immediately and must be completed before President Joko Widodo's term of office ends in 2024.
"We hope that in future, this hospital would have the best doctors to fill in," he added.
Minister Sadikin cited the Ministry of Health's data that showed around 300 thousand cases of brain disease were reported per year, 250 thousand cases of heart disease, and over 220 thousand cases of cancers.
"These three main diseases make our people suffer the most," he pointed out.
The number of patients with the three diseases is considered to exceed the recorded numbers since there are several cases in the community that are not recorded in health services.
"For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, if the recorded case is one, actually, there are three or four other cases undiagnosed," he explained.
Meanwhile, South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman stated that the existence of the Makassar Vertical Hospital could not be separated from the maximum support from the South Sulawesi Provincial Government that has prepared land in the Makassar CPI area, with a value of over Rp2.7 trillion.
"The land was worth Rp2.7 trillion, and I handed it over to the minister. This is for the sake of many people. The development of this hospital cannot be separated from the habits of South Sulawesi people, who often eat meat-based foods," Sudirman stated.
In addition, a 12-hectare plot of reclamation land has been prepared by the South Sulawesi Provincial Government to be handed over to the central government that is located not far from the Makassar Vertical Hospital construction area.
The governor also lauded Minister Sadikin, who came directly to attend the groundbreaking of the Makassar Vertical Hospital.
In addition, data shows that South Sulawesi Province recorded the highest number of deaths due to brain, heart, and cancer diseases, at around 21 percent.
"There are a lot of stroke cases here. This hospital has been our consideration for a long time because we need treatment for stroke patients," he added.
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Translator: Nur Suhra W, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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