Prabowo Targets 66 Hospitals in 3T Islands Realized End of 2026

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto is targeting the construction of 66 hospitals by the end of 2026 on islands in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions (3T), such as Tobelo, Taliabu Island, and the Anambas Islands.

President Prabowo emphasized that he is directly monitoring the progress of these hospital construction daily.

"So, I monitor it every day. How many today? How many today? Where are the problems? So, ladies and gentlemen, we can do it. We have also proven that he (Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, ed.) has built 30 hospitals this year, and another 30 next year. By the end of next year, we will have built 66 hospitals, and the hospitals must be in remote areas where there are no good hospitals, such as Tobelo, Anambas, and Taliabu," President Prabowo said, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 26.

Tobelo is a city and sub-district that serves as the administrative center of North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province. The Anambas Islands are a group of islands in the Riau Islands Province, located in the outermost region bordering Malaysia. Taliabu Island is also a regency in North Maluku.

President Prabowo also aims to build a total of 500 high-quality hospitals, with one in each regency within a four-year period.

"We said earlier that if someone has a stroke within three hours, they're safe and can return to work. After five hours, treatment takes a long time, which can be a burden on the family. So, how can we do that? The Minister of Health has instructed Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin to establish 500 high-quality hospitals in all regencies in Indonesia. Is it possible? It must be possible," President Prabowo stated, while instructing Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

President Prabowo is confident that his goal of building 500 hospitals can be realized.

"First, the will (desire, ed.) must come first! In our hearts, if we have the intention, God willing, we will achieve it. We have the resources, we have the ability to manage our resources. We'll see," said President Prabowo.

At Mahar Mardjono PON Hospital, President Prabowo emphasized that the hospital is not just a place for specialized neurology and brain health services, but also a center for education and research for specialist and sub-specialist doctors in the neurology and brain fields.

"I must express my appreciation to the Minister of Health and his staff for your success in building an international-standard healthcare facility," President Prabowo said to Minister of Health Budi Gunadi.

Therefore, President Prabowo is confident that Mahar Mardjono PON Hospital can become a Center of Excellence for hospitals that also serve as centers for education and research, especially those specifically related to the brain and nerves.

"We are confident that this hospital, this research center, can become a Center of Excellence. I am also very proud. I received a report that the National Institute of Health from the United States also has representatives at this hospital, and they are also participating in research here. So, this is something we should be proud of. It means we are also capable of performing at the best level and standards in the world," said President Prabowo.