Health Minister states RSUP Dr Ben Mboi is ready to become a "health tourism" destination
Kupang (ANTARA) - Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has affirmed that Dr Ben Mboi Central General Hospital (RSUP) has significant potential to become a “health tourism” destination in eastern Indonesia through the strengthening of high-tech healthcare services.
“‘Health tourism’ is not happening in Jakarta, but in NTT,” the Health Minister said during a working visit to Kupang to inspect RS Dr Ben Mboi in Alak Subdistrict, Kupang City, on Thursday.
A “health tourism” hospital is one that combines medical treatment with tourism activities.
During the visit, after a welcoming process at the RSUP, the Health Minister toured the Lily Inpatient Ward and several other new service facilities. This inspection was conducted to ensure the readiness of medical infrastructure and facilities as the main support for healthcare services.
On that occasion, the Health Minister also stressed the importance of accelerating the transformation of RSUP Dr Ben Mboi’s status to a Public Service Agency (BLU).
According to him, through BLU status, the hospital will gain several benefits, including financial management flexibility, increased operational independence in services, and accelerated strengthening of healthcare service quality.
In response to the dynamics of referral services between RSUP Dr Ben Mboi Kupang and Prof Dr W.Z. Johannes Kupang Hospital, the Health Minister viewed the situation as an indicator of increasing community healthcare needs as well as an opportunity to improve service quality.
“I see that the queues at both hospitals are equally long. This means the community’s needs are very great. Competition is good for improving quality. Our main focus is to provide more options for the community,” he asserted.
The central government is committed to continuously strengthening the distribution of modern medical equipment to all provinces and regencies/cities gradually until 2027 as part of equitable national healthcare services.
“We provide all the equipment. Our target is equitable quality healthcare services throughout remote Indonesia,” he said.
He stated that around 15 percent of RSUP Dr Ben Mboi’s patients come from Timor Leste, demonstrating the hospital’s strategic role as a cross-border healthcare centre in the border area.
The family of one patient from Timor Leste, met by the Health Minister along with Governor Melki, expressed appreciation for the services provided.
“Mr Minister, thank you for the services during our stay here. All hospital units here provide good service, even better. Thank you very much,” he said.
Governor Melki affirmed that improving the quality of healthcare services at RSUP Dr Ben Mboi is an important momentum for strengthening fraternal relations between countries. He said that as a directly bordering region, the presence of adequate medical facilities is expected to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the health sector.
“We are pleased that the Health Minister has come and seen it for himself. And this is a good thing for the people of NTT, because in addition to providing healthcare services for both countries, it also keeps our brotherhood with Timor Leste intact as one island, two countries,” the Governor stated.
The series of the Health Minister’s working visit to RSUP Dr Ben Mboi Kupang concluded with a dialogue with the medical team as part of strengthening coordination for improving referral healthcare services in NTT Province.