"Yes, that is right. We have already secured two (in construction), and one more is still in progress," NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena remarked here on Wednesday.
Lena made the statement after attending a coordination meeting between the central government and the NTT provincial and district/city governments to discuss the acceleration of National Strategic Programs (PSN) in the province.
Lena stated that the two hospitals under construction are located in the Southwest Sumba and East Manggarai Districts.
"As for the remaining one, I will follow up again with the health minister later. Construction may begin next year," Lena stated.
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He explained that these two hospitals are being developed as part of the efforts to upgrade their classification from Type D to Type C. The upgrade includes improvements to their physical infrastructure.
In addition, new medical equipment and additional human resources, including nurses and doctors, will be provided.
However, he said, the recruitment of doctors will not rely solely on the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government but will be supported by the Ministry of Health. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the ministry will offer medical scholarships for NTT locals.
"This way, local NTT residents can benefit. The education costs will be covered by the Health Ministry, so they can return and serve in NTT," he remarked.
Earlier, during the coordination meeting, Minister Sadikin confirmed that the central government is constructing three hospitals to improve the province’s healthcare services.
For this reason, the provincial government has been urged to make preparations, including providing medical personnel, especially doctors, upon completion of the hospitals.
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Translator: Kornelis, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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