I think this will be a big advantage for health facilities…Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Health has received a grant of 102 mobile X-ray machines from the Japanese government to help Indonesian health facilities perform radiology checks more easily and quickly.
"Decision-making regarding patient treatment will be carried out faster. I think this will be a big advantage for health facilities that receive the grant," Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono Harbuwono, said through the ministry's communication and public service bureau here on Thursday.
According to him, Japan and Indonesia have established grant agreements, including in the health equipment sector. In addition to 102 mobile X-ray machines, the grants cover 102 X-ray protection screens and 102 X-ray protection aprons.
Harbuwono informed that the distribution and installation of some of the items has been completed as per schedule and several hospitals have obtained permission to operate the X-ray equipment from the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapeten).
"Meanwhile, some others still need to meet supporting procedures to obtain approval from Bapeten, which must be carried out by the Fujifilm Indonesia team supported by the recipient health facility, so that this equipment can be operated safely," he said.
The deputy minister expressed the hope that the health facilities that receive the equipment will pay attention to the maintenance procedure so that the life of the equipment can be made longer and their performance can be maintained at a good level.
During the mobile X-ray machine handover event in Jakarta on Wednesday (November 22, 2023), Japan's Ambassador to Indonesia, Kanasugi Kenji, said that the grants are proof of the Japanese government's fulfillment of its commitment to supporting the Indonesian government in the health sector.
He expressed optimism that the distribution of medical equipment across Indonesia would contribute to the development of primary health services, which is one of the Health Ministry's main policy directions.
According to director general of health services at the Health Ministry, Azhar Jaya, the assistance has been funded by the Japanese government's grant fund of 2 billion Japanese yen, which was announced on July 20, 2020.
However, he said, due to the pandemic situation and production capacity, the grant, which Indonesia was supposed to receive in 2020, was delayed.
"The delivery and distribution process of the grants started in February 2023 and finished in August 2023 through two delivery batches. This grant project is expected to be completed on December 31, 2024," he informed.
Jaya said that the granted equipment has been distributed to 102 hospitals, which were selected based on the mapping of X-ray equipment needs.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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