In a statement issued on Wednesday, Widyawati, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, announced that this initiative is part of the Quick Win programs in the health sector.
The ministry will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony at Reda Bolo Regional General Hospital in Southwest Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, on January 17, marking the start of the upgrades from Type D to Type C hospitals.
According to Widyawati, the Quick Win program is a strategic response to the needs of communities, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare services.
She noted that upgrading regional general hospitals will introduce additional facilities and ensure the availability of basic specialist services required by the community.
Type C hospitals must employ basic specialist doctors, including internists, surgeons, pediatricians, obstetricians, and gynecologists. The presence of these specialists will enable the management of complex medical cases without referring patients to more advanced hospitals.
Type C hospitals will also be equipped with advanced facilities such as operating rooms, ICUs, NICUs, comprehensive laboratories, and modern radiology equipment. These improvements aim to enhance diagnostic capabilities and strengthen health services in the regions.
"With adequate facilities and medical personnel, Type C hospitals can play a crucial role in the referral system, reducing the burden on larger hospitals and accelerating access to healthcare services for the community," Widyawati remarked.
However, she acknowledged challenges in implementing the Quick Win program due to a shortage of over 600 specialist doctors, including basic specialists and subspecialists in fields such as oncology, cardiology, and uro-nephrology.
"We are confident that through strong collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and the private sector, this shortage of medical personnel can be addressed," she stated.
Priority regions for the program include East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, Maluku, Papua, and Sulawesi.
"This program is designed to ensure that areas with urgent needs receive priority attention," Widyawati noted.
The upgrading process for the 66 regional hospitals is scheduled to begin in January, with full operational capability targeted for 2026.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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