"Cancer is a major problem in Indonesia because the mortality rate and the (treatment) costs are high," he stated at the launch of the cancer treatment superintendence network program here on Monday.
The five hospitals are located in the provinces of Banten, Lampung, West Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.
According to Harbuwono, the cancer treatment superintendence program for hospitals in the regions aims to make cancer treatment there the same as those at the center.
Harbuwono elaborated that the superintendence program is implemented by stratifying government hospitals, such as RSCM as the plenary-level superintendent hospital, followed by the main hospitals, middle-level, to first-level health facilities, such as local health centers (puskesmas).
"There are lower-level hospitals (being supervised) in the superintendence program, so the quality of services and the referral can be more effective," he remarked.
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Harbuwono said that the ministry would also strengthen the cancer treatment superintendence network by providing adequate medicines and ensuring that local medicines have quality equivalent to that of imported drugs.
"(This is) so that the quality of cancer treatment in Indonesia will be the same as cancer treatment in other countries. Patients do not need to seek treatment abroad, as we have guaranteed the quality and the availability of medicines as same as (those found abroad)," he emphasized.
On the same occasion, Head of the RSCM Cancer Service Superintendence Network Team, Soehartati A. Gondhowiarjo, stated that her team had conducted a mapping analysis for the program.
"(The mapping) aimed to close the gap between hospitals. (We need to work on) how we can make lower-level hospitals capable of delivering cancer treatment," she affirmed. (INE) Related news: Health Minister launches executive-class orthopaedic center in Jakarta
Translator: Sean M, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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