Makassar. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated two new state-of-the-art hospitals in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Surabaya, East Java, on Friday, marking a significant boost to Indonesia's healthcare infrastructure.

The Health Ministry Hospital in Makassar, built at a cost of Rp 1.56 trillion ($104 million), features 900 beds, 400 specialist doctors, and cutting-edge medical technology. The 12-story facility, located in the Center Point of Indonesia area, is designed to serve patients from eastern Indonesia and offers advanced services for cancer, heart disease, and neurological conditions.

“This is the largest of the eight hospitals I’ve inaugurated so far, and it surpasses even five-star hotels,” Jokowi said.

The hospital boasts medical technology comparable to top facilities abroad, with an additional Rp 500 billion allocated for advanced healthcare equipment. Acting Director of the Health Ministry Hospital, Dr. Andi Saguni, highlighted its focus on treating cancer, heart disease, and brain conditions.

$104 Million Gov't Hospital to Stop People From Getting Treatment Abroad

“Infrastructure development remains a priority, and we’re fast-tracking the operation of eight international-standard hospitals across the country, including this one in Makassar, which is set to become the best in Asia,” Dr. Andi stated.

Jokowi also inaugurated a similar hospital in Surabaya, East Java, with an investment of Rp 1.6 trillion. The hospital spans 163,380 square meters and features specialized facilities for cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It is equipped with 772 inpatient beds, 16 operating rooms, 20 chemotherapy units, and other advanced technologies such as mammography and CT Scan 256.

The president said the hospitals will help prevent an annual foreign exchange loss of Rp 180 trillion, which is currently spent by Indonesians seeking medical treatment in countries like Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and the US. 

“We don’t want sick people to go to Singapore and Malaysia for treatment. I’ve seen this hospital, and it feels like walking into a five-star hotel," he said.