"The hospital is already there; the beds and accommodations are also ready," Riau Islands Deputy Governor Nyanyang Haris Pratamura said on Saturday.
Calling it a "humanitarian mission," Pratamura explained that the Galang Island Infectious Disease Hospital (RSKI) — previously used for COVID-19 patients — could be reactivated to accommodate Palestinian refugees.
He said the refugees are expected to arrive in phases, with each batch consisting of 300 to 500 people, depending on central government planning. All patients will be treated exclusively at the RSKI complex and will not be moved to other medical facilities, he added.
The provincial government will coordinate with health offices at the provincial, district, and city levels for the planned medical treatment.
"We are still waiting for further instructions from the central government. This is a humanitarian mission for world peace," Pratamura said.
On Thursday, Presidential Communication Office (PCO) chief Hasan Nasbi said President Prabowo Subianto had instructed the government to prepare for receiving up to 2,000 Palestinian refugees, including those injured by bombs or debris, for medical treatment in Indonesia.
Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said on Friday that the plan will only proceed if approved by the Palestinian authorities. He stressed that the initiative is not intended to pressure Palestinians to leave Gaza, as advocated by Zionist and pro-Zionist interests.
Nasir emphasized that Indonesia's readiness to receive and treat Palestinian war victims reflects President Prabowo's commitment to helping those affected by the Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Related news: Indonesia awaits Palestinian green light for Gaza evacuees on Galang
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Translator: Amandine Nadja, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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