“Each year, around two million Indonesians seek medical treatment abroad, costing the country nearly Rp150 trillion (approximately US$9.2 billion),” Thohir said during the official launch of the facilities in Sanur, Bali, on Wednesday.
He emphasized that Indonesia, as a large and developing nation, must build self-reliance, including in the healthcare sector.
“Achieving health independence is one of our biggest challenges moving forward,” he added.
Thohir noted that Indonesia has a young and productive population, with an average age of 30.4 years. However, as the population continues to age, the strain on the national healthcare system will grow — and so will the outflow of foreign exchange from citizens seeking treatment overseas.
To counter this, the Ministry of SOEs initiated the development of the Sanur Health SEZ, which integrates international-standard medical services with tourism infrastructure.
The project was made possible through inter-ministerial collaboration and streamlined regulatory processes, including licensing for foreign doctors and medical equipment.
Thohir also voiced his hope for strong collaboration with Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, CEO of sovereign wealth fund Danantara, to support long-term investment in the SEZ.
“With Danantara’s involvement, Rosan will focus on operational and sustainable investment, while the Ministry of SOEs continues its oversight and strategic direction,” he said.
Looking ahead, Thohir stated that the government plans to replicate the Sanur model in other regions to boost the global competitiveness of Indonesia’s healthcare sector.
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Translator: Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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