"The construction of the TBSI Hospital is part of President Joko Widodo's rapid response policy towards equalizing health services. The seventh president at that time requested that hospital construction in all regions be completed in two years," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin remarked.
The minister conveyed this during Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony for the TBSI Hospital in Kubu Raya.
Sadikin highlighted the central government's steadfast commitment to improving health services in the regions, including in Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan, through a program to accelerate the development of health facilities.
"The five-year quick win is not quick, (but rather) it is called a long win. Therefore, the construction of this hospital will be expedited in two years," he stated.
Sadikin highlighted the importance of hospitals like TBSI in addressing local healthcare needs without requiring patient referrals to larger facilities.
Later, the TBSI hospital will provide specialized services for stroke, heart disease, cancer, and hemodialysis, the minister revealed.
"We hope patients can be treated here without the need for referrals outside the region," he stated.
On the same occasion, Kubu Raya District head, Sujiwo, disclosed that the total budget for the hospital construction reached Rp170 billion (US$9.8 million), with Rp146 billion (US$8.4 million) for physical construction, Rp3.2 billion (US$184 thousand) for construction management, and Rp20 billion (US$1.1 million) for medical equipment procurement.
He noted that BPJS services in Kubu Raya have achieved a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) of 98 percent.
Meanwhile, West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan praised the central government's attention to the region.
He then underscored the importance of investment in human resources (HR) to ensure the sustainability of services. He suggested that Kubu Raya adopt a strategy implemented in Mempawah of sending general practitioners to specialist schools with regional funding.
"HR investment will never be a loss. With specialist doctors from the region, services will be much better and more sustainable," Norsan remarked.
Construction of the TBSI hospital is expected to strengthen the region's health system and to become a qualified and affordable type C referral hospital for the community.
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Translator: Rendra Oxtora, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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