Ben Mboi Kupang Central General Hospital Serves Timor Leste Patients, Health Minister Prepares Cancer Equipment

Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has commended the development of Ben Mboi Central General Hospital (RSUP) in Kupang, which now serves patients from Timor Leste and is projected to become a cancer service centre in eastern Indonesia. Budi stated that his visit to RSUP Ben Mboi was to directly observe the progress of the hospital’s facilities and services.

“Today, I actually wanted to visit RS Reda Bolo, but I stopped by here first to see its development. So far, the development is good; I thank the Director. There are many patients, and interestingly, 15 patients from Timor Leste,” explained Budi on Thursday (23/4/2026).

He views this phenomenon as a tangible form of health tourism emerging in the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) region. “That’s extraordinary; health tourism is happening not in Jakarta but in NTT,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health plans to add specialised cancer service medical equipment worth tens of billions of rupiah at RSUP Ben Mboi.

“Well, in the future, we want to install very expensive machines, tens of billions for cancer services,” he said.

According to Budi, the presence of this equipment will broaden cancer service access for communities in eastern Indonesia, including patients from Timor Leste.

“This service is now very rare; previously, it was only available in Java. So if installed here in NTT, NTB, Dili can all be served here, and also from Maluku,” he explained.

To strengthen services, Budi also encouraged RSUP Ben Mboi to promptly achieve Public Service Agency (BLU) status for greater flexibility in financial management.

“The number one improvement needed, I say, is for this hospital to become a BLU first. Because as a BLU, financial funding flexibility can be greater. Hopefully, by June, it can already be a BLU,” he emphasised.

Furthermore, RSUP Ben Mboi is expected to serve as a mentor for surrounding regional hospitals.

Previously, Health Minister Budi conducted a working visit to Ben Mboi Central General Hospital in Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Budi arrived at the Regional Government VIP Airport, welcomed directly by the NTT Governor, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena.

Upon arrival, Budi immediately visited the inpatient wards and patients, taking the time to discuss with them.