Government Prepares to Build Health Facilities in IKN Nusantara

VIVA – The Indonesian government through the Health Ministry with Commission IX of the House of Representatives are preparing to provide health facilities in the Nusantara Capital City; Indonesian known as IKN Nusantara, East Kalimantan.

"Not only building hospitals in terms of referral services but also building health centers at the first level to strengthen promotive and preventive," Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Kunta Wibawa Dasanugraha said through a press release on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

According to Kunta, the plan was the subject of discussion during the specific working visit of Commission IX of the House of Representatives in the health sector in the Zero Point area of the IKN Nusantara.

"We will also strengthen disease prevention surveillance and health laboratories," he said.

The Ministry of Health will establish a hospital that can be utilized by all communities in IKN, and integrate the hospital with TNI / POLRI hospitals and teaching hospitals connected to the Faculty of Medicine at universities in IKN.

In addition to focusing on preparing infrastructure in IKN, the Health Ministry also seeks to improve the quality of services and the quality of health human resources in several areas.

Currently, the Ministry of Health encourages the fulfillment of infrastructure and medical equipment at five Public health centers located in the IKN buffer zone through the allocation of the 2022/2023 Physical Special Allocation Fund (DAK).

These health centers include Sungai Merdeka in Kutai Kertanegara Regency, Maridan Health Center, Sepaku I Health Center, Sepaku III Health Center, and Semoi II Health Center in Penajam Paser Utara Regency.

There are two hospitals located closest to the IKN authorization area, namely Sepaku Hospital in North Penajam Paser Regency and Aji Batara Agung Dewa Sakti Hospital in Kutai Kertanegara Regency.

"The two hospitals currently serve not only the community but also workers in the IKN area," said the Head of the East Kalimantan Provincial Health Office Jaya Mualimin.

Commission IX of the House of Representatives expects the commitment of all health partners and local government officials to accelerate health development in IKN, "Hopefully, the acceleration of health development in IKN can run well," Vice Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena stated.