Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Industry Ministry has strengthened cooperation in the medical equipment sector with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), a Dubai government agency that oversees health services and dozens of leading clinics and hospitals in the region.

At the opening of the Medical Equipment Business Forum at the 2024 Arab Health exhibition, held in Dubai from January 29 to February 1, director general of metal, machinery, transportation equipment, and electronics industries (ILMATE) at the ministry, Taufiek Bawazier, said that the collaboration could open up opportunities for the Indonesian medical equipment industry to expand its export share to Dubai.

"The domestic industry is able to produce high-quality and export medical equipment, such as hospital furniture products, syringes, electronic diagnostic equipment, and even oxygen therapy machines," he added, according to a statement released by his office on Tuesday.

These products have penetrated the international market, with their export value reaching US$209.4 million in 2023, he highlighted.

At the Arab Health exhibition, Bawazier said that the ministry invited 19 domestic medical equipment industries to showcase their superior products at the exhibition. The ministry also conducted a Medical Device Business Forum to apprise the international market about the capability and quality of Indonesia-made medical devices.

For example, the operating table produced by PT Mega Andalan Kalasan (MAK) of Yogyakarta is exported to 51 countries, including Tanzania and the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, the syringe products made by PT Oneject Indonesia, with a production capacity of 1.2 billion units per year, are exported to African countries.

During the event, Bawazier also met with DHA Special Advisor Younis Mohammed Kazim and discussed the potential for collaboration between Indonesian medical equipment manufacturers and the health authorities in Dubai.

Kazim said that Dubai has 52 hospitals of international standards and will build four more hospitals this year.

"I believe that the medical equipment industry in Indonesia will develop rapidly in the future, with the potential of the population reaching 270 million people. Dubai is similar to Indonesia in developing its health sector, and I am sure that Indonesia will also be able to succeed in managing health services for its citizens," he added.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates government, in collaboration with the Indonesian government, is planning to build the Emirates-Indonesia Cardiology Hospital at Solo Technopark, Central Java, as a form of commitment between the two countries to support each other in creating health services, Bawazier informed.

He said that the establishment of the hospital is aimed at helping residents in Central Java and Yogyakarta access health facilities, especially for heart treatment.

The hospital will have a capacity of 100 beds and will specifically offer heart/cardiovascular specialties, he informed adding that it is expected to become operational in October 2024.

The Indonesian medical equipment industry is also expected to take part in the development of the hospital and the provision of infrastructure such as hospital beds, operating tables, and technological equipment.

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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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