Health minister pledges to strengthen Embung Fatimah Hospital Batam equipment for KSJU care

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) will continue to complete the facilities and infrastructure of RSUD Embung Fatimah in Batam City, Riau Islands (Kepri), to strengthen health services, particularly the handling of Cancer, Heart Disease, Stroke and Uronephrology (KJSU).

Health Minister (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the support would be provided in stages according to the hospital’s needs.

“Later it will be given (medical equipment) because the proposal has also been submitted to the Ministry of Health. One CT scan has already been included, and later it will arrive in stages until 2027-2028,” said Minister Budi Gunadi in Batam on Friday.

After the CT scan, the minister continued, one of the facilities that needs to be completed to support stroke treatment is a cath lab.

Minister Budi expressed hope that the complete facilities would improve RSUD Embung Fatimah’s ability to treat patients, so that more cases would not need to be referred outside the region.

“My hope is that if possible, 80-90 percent of stroke patients can be treated here, handled well and able to return home,” said the minister.

In addition to stroke, service strengthening is also directed at treating heart disease and cancer.

Neurosurgery Specialist at RSUD Embung Fatimah, Andi Nugraha Sendjaja, said around 50 percent of the medical equipment needed to support independent neurosurgery services is currently available.

According to him, one of the tools needed is a special surgical microscope.

“Earlier the minister also offered an endoscopy device. But for this microscope, it has already been agreed that it will be fully funded by the ministry,” said Andi Nugraha.

He welcomed the support because the presence of a microscope and endoscope would strengthen RSUD Embung Fatimah’s ability to handle neurosurgery cases.

Minister Budi also assessed that the condition of RSUD Embung Fatimah is quite good in terms of cleanliness, tidiness and facility management.

“Good, clean. I have seen other cities, and this is one of the cleanest district/city hospital buildings I have ever seen,” said Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.