"The support does not necessarily have to be monetary."Kupang (ANTARA News) - All institutions in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) - public as well as private - must develop partnerships in order to improve the community health-care system in the province, according to Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi.
"The partnership is necessary for all stakeholders in the province to prevent and reduce public health problems," she said here on Monday, referring to the proposed construction of Siloam International Hospital in the provincial capital of Kupang.
Nafsiah, the wife of former NTT Governor Ben Mboi, noted that the presence of a world-class health-care facility in Kupang would significantly benefit the local community and therefore should be supported by all parties.
"The support does not necessarily have to be monetary; cooperation in speeding up the construction of the hospital would also be more than enough," she explained.
A paediatrician with a master`s degree in public health, Nafsiah praised the Siloam Hospital Group for its commitment to building a state-of-the-art hospital in East Nusa Tenggara.
"Siloam Hospital Group management will build a world-class health facility in the province to provide the local community with access to affordable health care," she said.
The health minister expressed hope that the local government would support the construction of the health-care facility because the Siloam Hospital Group has been providing satisfactory health services across the country.
She noted that some of the main challenges facing the health sector in East Nusa Tenggara were the lack of human resources, funds, and infrastructure.
"The problem of inadequate human resources, funds, and infrastructure is experienced by almost all remote areas in Indonesia. Therefore, a strong partnership and shared commitment is the best way to deal with these issues," Nafsiah stated.
She expressed optimism that the presence of Siloam Hospital in NTT would help significantly reduce health problems in the province.
(Uu.O001/INE/H-YH/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
