Jokowi Admits That The Quality Of Indonesian Doctors Is No Less A Neighboring Country But Is Different From Medical Devices

Illustration. President Jokowi reviewed the registration room for BPJS patient Arifin Achmad Pekanbaru Riau Hospital on Wednesday, January 4. (Twitter @jokowi)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hopes that the number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) seeking treatment abroad will decrease with the presence of Tzu Chi Hospital at Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta.

This was conveyed by President Jokowi when inaugurating Tzu Chi Hospital today, Wednesday, June 14. The head of state also briefly reviewed modern facilities and equipment for the treatment of patients with various diseases such as cancer, thalasemia, and the cord.

"I see everything, equipment, infrastructure, everything is very modern. I really appreciate the construction of this hospital," said Jokowi ahead of signing the inscription on the inauguration of Tzu Chi Hospital.

Jokowi said the hospital built by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in Indonesia has a capacity of 576 rooms equipped with sophisticated infrastructure and medical equipment.

Therefore, the head of state hopes that the presence of Tzu Chi Hospital can reduce the rate of departure of Indonesian citizens who seek treatment abroad, as well as reduce the rate of capital outflow.

According to President Jokowi, every year there are almost one million Indonesian citizens who go for treatment abroad, causing the loss of foreign exchange of around 11.5 billion US dollars or approximately Rp. 170 trillion.

"Rp170 trillion was lost because of treatment abroad. Now stop, just go to Tzu Chi Hospital," said President Jokowi.

The President believes that the quality and ability of Indonesian doctors is no less than the health workers of the country for which Indonesian citizens seek treatment, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan.

However, President Jokowi acknowledged that in terms of sophistication, these countries' medical devices had been superior.

Therefore, the President appreciates the sophistication of modern medical equipment that has been prepared by Tzu Chi Hospital.

"Hopefully this can compete and our society will seek treatment domestically and we will not lose Rp170 trillion per year due to just sick matters," said President Jokowi.

Also accompanying the President in the inauguration of Tzu Chi Hospital were Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Pratikno, Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto, and Head of the Presidential Secretariat as well as Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono.