Director of basic services at OIKN, Suwito, said on Saturday that there are currently 11 community health centers (puskesmas) and two regional public hospitals (RSUDs) in Indonesia's new capital city in East Kalimantan.
"These are what will be the spearhead in providing health services during the initial stage of capital city relocation," he added.
The OIKN has also improved the health facilities, for instance, by adding buildings and medical equipment and improving the type of hospitals.
"Currently, the Sepaku RSUD is still Class D, but we aim to elevate it to Class C. Similarly, the Samboja RSUD is being upgraded, and we hope it can be prepared for Class B status by next year," he said.
In Indonesia, public hospitals are categorized into four classes based on their facilities and services, with Class A representing the highest level and Class D the lowest.
To meet the demand for health workers, which will increase with a rise in Nusantara's population, the OIKN will use intern doctors, independent specialist doctors, and health workers from health polytechnics, among other measures.
"Apart from that, we will also receive the transfer of specialist doctors, and we may also recruit additional healthcare personnel in the future," he said.
Regarding new facilities, Suwito revealed that construction is underway for four hospitals in the new capital area: an international hospital by the Ministry of Health, Abdi Waluyo Hospital, Hermina Hospital, and Mayapada Hospital.
"Hopefully, before August 17, 2024, before the relocation of the capital city, they would already be operational. There are also three additional puskesmas that will be built in the IKN area," he added.
He expressed confidence that health facilities in Nusantara can provide residents with quality, safe, and comfortable services.
The East Kalimantan government is also continuing to prepare health workers to support health facilities that will be built in some parts of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara.
"In the mid-year, we will add health personnel for IKN. Later, we will also add health facilities, including in the IKN area and around," said Jaya Mualimin, head of the East Kalimantan Health Office, on Saturday.
He added that the government is also coordinating with regional governments to ensure that health facilities at Nusantara and outside it are operating well.
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Translator: Ahmad Rifandi, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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