Jokowi made the statement after reviewing the hospital's facilities along with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in Labuan Bajo on Tuesday.
His entourage also included State Secretary Minister Pratikno and Director of the Komodo Regional Hospital Maria Yosephina Melinda Gampar.
"Indeed, we have been pursuing this in order to prepare for the ASEAN Summit," Jokowi told reporters.
The hospital's development was backed with funding from the Health Ministry, reaching a total of Rp220 billion, to cover costs incurred for the building and medical devices, the president remarked.
He said that the range of devices at the regional hospital are of high quality, and they can be used to handle some of the more serious illnesses.
"When we see them, the devices are very good. For cancer, for heart disease, stroke, everything is here," he affirmed.
However, he reminded that the hospital still needs more specialist doctors, so he urged the Health Ministry and Komodo Regional Hospital to immediately address the issue, so that the local people do not need to travel to other regions for treatment.
"This is what I think will be worked on by the Health Ministry as well as Komodo Hospital, so that everything will be complete. Hence, whatever disease is found here, (you) do not need to go to the province or to Jakarta, as it can be handled at the district level," Jokowi elaborated.
On Monday, May 8, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin lauded the stakeholders' efforts in pursuing preparations for heart care services at the Komodo Regional Hospital designated as a referral hospital for the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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