JAKARTA: Indonesia is on track to improve cancer care in Jakarta with the support of the Islamic Development Bank, the Health Ministry said, with construction of a new oncology facility for women and children is expected to wrap up next year.
Women made up nearly 54 percent of new cancer cases in Indonesia in 2020, with breast and cervical cancers being the two most frequent, according to data from the Global Cancer Observatory.
IsDB’s board approved in 2020 a $262 million project from the Indonesian government, which seeks to improve the beds and medical equipment in six selected hospitals across the country, while also advancing infant and maternal care as well as oncology and respiratory treatments.
Among the hospitals selected for the project is the Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta, where the construction of a Women and Child Care Center is ongoing.
Once construction is completed, the hospital will get to treat more patients and reduce long queues for surgeries and chemotherapy, Tarmizi said. She added that the project also covers massive clinical research and speedy laboratory services, among other things.
“We will increase our coverage for early breast cancer detection … as well as strengthening prevention of cervical and lung cancer that will be balanced with immunization, early detection, brachytherapy and cryotherapy,” she said.
IsDB is supporting Indonesia’s national priorities through the project, said Fatih Turkmen, the multilateral development bank’s operation team leader in Indonesia.
“This project is in line with the Indonesian government plan in the healthcare sector, as it aims to improve the health services provided to the Indonesian population,” Turkmen told .
“The new facility in Dharmais Hospital is a response of the government seeking to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients by providing them with the best and the latest care. It is a special oncology unit for infant and maternal care with a total capacity of 163 hospital beds. The construction is ongoing and it is expected to be completed next year,” he said.
