THE Indonesian Navy hospital ship KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 has wrapped up its Fiji visit after two days of medical services that reached 504 patients in Suva.
The visit, which ended on October 12, saw the ship’s medical team work alongside Fiji’s Ministry of Health to provide public healthcare services before continuing its regional deployment to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Under the theme “Bridging Nations, Serving Humanity”, the mission combined medical assistance with professional exchanges and efforts to deepen cooperation between Fiji and Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Darma Simamora, said the hospital ship’s work demonstrated how the two countries could translate their partnership into practical outcomes for Pacific communities.
“In just two days, the team attended 504 patients, a remarkable achievement indeed,” he said.
The medical services were delivered in collaboration with Fiji’s Ministry of Health, with the ship providing general medical consultations, dental care, radiology and non-communicable disease screening.
Simamora said the programme also created opportunities for professional exchanges between Indonesian medical personnel and their Fijian counterparts.
The ship’s visit coincided with Fiji’s Independence Day celebrations, with Fiji’s Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto, describing the healthcare mission as a meaningful contribution to the national celebrations.
“There could be no more fitting gift to our people on our national day than the gift of health, well-being and renewed hope,” Naupoto said.
He thanked the Indonesian Government, the Indonesian Embassy in Suva and the ship’s crew for providing accessible medical services to the public.
Naupoto said the mission involved 316 crew members, including naval personnel, doctors, nurses, mid-level officers and university students.
He also acknowledged the cooperation between the visiting medical team and local healthcare workers, saying the experience had strengthened professional collaboration.
The hospital ship’s visit formed part of Indonesia’s 2026 World Visit deployment, which includes stops across the South Pacific as the country seeks to strengthen maritime diplomacy and international cooperation.
First Admiral Victor Pardamean Y. Siagian, assistant for planning to the commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, said the deployment reflected Indonesia’s commitment to building closer relationships with Pacific countries.
“As maritime nations, Indonesia and Fiji share a joint responsibility to promote a maritime domain that is secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous,” he said.
He said the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation through dialogue, mutual respect and exchanges between the two countries.
Simamora said Indonesia’s engagement with the Pacific was founded on mutual respect, equality and shared aspirations, adding that its partnership with the region should extend beyond diplomatic statements to practical cooperation.
As a strategic partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, Indonesia recognised the region’s pursuit of a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Blue Pacific, he said.
He also pointed to the potential for Indonesia’s hospital ships to support future humanitarian missions in the wider Pacific, including possible visits linked to future Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meetings.
The vessel is one of three hospital ships operated by Indonesia, giving the country a platform to deliver medical assistance while building relationships with island nations across the region.
The visit highlights the practical role Indonesia’s hospital ship is playing in the Pacific, bringing medical services directly to communities while strengthening ties between regional neighbours.