MUI: Sharia certification is universally applicable and can be implemented in all hospitals

Tangerang - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has confirmed that sharia certification in the healthcare sector is universally applicable and can be implemented in all government and private hospitals. “We have also conveyed to the Health Minister that this sharia certification is not only intended for Islamic hospitals, but is also open to government and private hospitals,” said the Chairman of the National Sharia Council of MUI, KH Cholil Nafis, in Tangerang on Wednesday. In its implementation, the All-Indonesian Islamic Health Efforts Council (Mukisi) will provide recommendations to MUI for granting sharia certification. He explained that sharia hospitals are not only for Muslims, but represent a service standard based on sharia values such as cleanliness, halal standards, and sharia financial systems. Furthermore, medicines, medical equipment, capsules, and injections must all be ensured to be halal. In addition, services prioritise patient comfort and peace. KH Cholil Nafis also stated that this approach is not only curative but also preventive. Providing a sense of security and peace to patients can aid the healing process. Regarding the benefits of sharia certification for hospitals, KH Cholil Nafis explained that it provides options for the public, especially Muslims, to receive healthcare services in line with sharia principles in terms of service, medicines, and systems. “This certification also adds spiritual value to healthcare services, such as religious guidance and faith-based psychological approaches,” he said. Previously, Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono emphasised that sharia certification in the health sector must not be exclusive but inclusive to produce better services aligned with religious values. The Deputy Minister stated that through certification, all hospitals can provide better services in accordance with religious values. Meanwhile, based on data from the All-Indonesian Islamic Health Efforts Council (Mukisi), there are 40 hospitals that have been sharia-certified, including four government-owned hospitals. In addition, there are around 77 hospitals in the certification process. Nationally, the number of hospitals in Indonesia is around 3,200, with about 500 of them being Islamic-based hospitals.