"The collaboration with the Saudi Arabian government aims to help operate on our children. Many surgeries were successful and many parents are happy," he informed at the Haji Adam Malik Hospital in Medan on Friday.
According to him, the collaboration is needed since 12 thousand Indonesian babies suffer from congenital heart defects and require surgery.
"Indonesia can only accommodate heart surgeries of 6 thousand children due to the lack of pediatric heart surgery specialists," Sadikin explained.
Due to the high mortality rate, breakthroughs are being pursued to accelerate cardiac treatment for children.
"The quickest way to resolve this problem is to send more doctors to school. However, it can take four years. While filling the vacancies, we are collaborating with the Saudi Arabian government for the surgery," the minister added.
He said that the collaboration will not only support medical treatment but also help Indonesian doctors gain knowledge on the subject.
Ambassador Al-Amoudi said that his party is desirous of helping Indonesia, especially to treat heart disease in children.
"We want to be more intense in contributing to saving Indonesian children and Indonesian doctors as well," he added.
According to him, the collaboration is a strategy to save Indonesian children.
Furthermore, he said he hopes that Indonesian children will be healthy and those who are sick will be provided treatment.
Meanwhile, North Sumatra acting governor Agus Fatoni expressed his gratitude for the cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Saudi Arabia in supporting pediatric heart surgeries in his area.
"Many babies have been rescued in North Sumatra; this is an extraordinary acceleration, we welcome it with gratitude," he said.
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Translator: M. Sahbainy N, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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