"We must urgently open new medical faculties and nursing academies and efficiently expand new specialist education courses," the president stated while opening the Sanur Health Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Bali International Hospital (BIH) in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday.
Ministers should not be constrained by "antiquated procedures and regulations" that "could not address current challenges" in the effort to increase the number of domestic medical practitioners, Prabowo stated.
He emphasized that the government must provide the highest quality health services to protect the people's livelihood, which can be achieved by ensuring an adequate ratio between doctors and the population.
The president also reminded his officials to work efficiently and ensure that public funds are not misused.
"Indonesia is keen to develop fast as we want to catch up with other countries. We must abandon the old ways, the inefficient, wasteful, and improper management," Prabowo stressed.
He described the recently opened Sanur Health SEZ as a stepping stone in Indonesia's efforts to catch up with other nations, and he hopes other national sectors would follow the example set by the Sanur SEZ.
Earlier this month, President Prabowo and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had deliberated government strategies to increase the number of doctors and improve the welfare of current doctors.
During his successful electoral campaign in 2024, the president also pledged to increase the number of medical faculties nationwide, from the current 92 to over 300.
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Translator: Genta Tenri M, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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