Indonesia's First Private Cancer Hospital Launched

Jakarta Globe, Dessy Sagita, July 07, 2011

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, center, speaking at the
inauguration of the Mochtar Riady Comprehensive Cancer Center in Semanggi,
South Jakarta, on Thursday. He was accompanied by the center's founder,
Mochtar Riady, right, and Minister of Health Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih.
(JG Photo/Safir Makki)

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The first private cancer hospital in Indonesia, Mochtar Riady Comprehensive Cancer Center, was officially launched on Thursday by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The hospital, which is the biggest cancer hospital in the country, is expected to be one of the best-equipped cancer centers in Asia.

MRCCC founder Mochtar Riady said the hospital's development was inspired by his personal experience. His own mother died of dystocia when he was only eight years old and his father died at age 60 due to stomach cancer.

"I couldn't stand watching him enduring the pain," he said.

Investment in MRCCC totaled $138.8 million. The hospital has 30 floors and is located in the heart of Jakarta, Semanggi. It is equipped with cutting-edge medical devices including positron emission tomography - computed tomography (PET-CT) and IBA Cyclotron which could produce isotopes on a large scale.

The founding of this hospital was also in anticipation of an increased number of Indonesians that choose to receive medication from overseas with reasons of advanced clinical and treatment technology.

Yudhoyono said partnership between the government and private sector in developing modern hospitals, especially in big cities, could help keep Indonesian patients from seeking medical treatment abroad.

"We certainly don't want our patients to seek help in Singapore, Tokyo, or Malaysia simply because they think we don't have modern hospitals," he said.

"But at the same time we can't forbid them, so the only way is to increase our competitiveness by providing good infrastructure like this," he added.

Yudhoyono also conveyed his appreciation because MRCCC dedicated 30 percent of its facilities to third-class service.

"The regulation says private hospitals should dedicate at least 10 percent of the beds to the third class ward, but MRCCC has done more, and I would like to thank you for that," he said.