Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto is targeting foreign exchange savings of up to Rp150 trillion (US$8.3 billion) through the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the health sector.
The initiative seeks to encourage Indonesians to receive medical care at home rather than overseas by improving health facilities in SEZs.
"(SEZs) have the potential to substitute for Indonesians seeking medical treatment abroad, spending around Rp150 trillion, through health sector SEZ," he remarked at the Coordination Meeting on Ministry/Institutional Support for SEZ Development in the third quarter of 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Indonesia currently has three SEZs operating in the health sector: the Sanur SEZ; the Banten International Education, Technology and Health SEZ; and the Batam International Health Tourism SEZ.
The potential foreign exchange savings are calculated based on the assumption of 2 million patients with an average expenditure of Rp75 million (US$4,170) per person.
According to him, savings can be made by redirecting public health spending from overseas treatment to domestic healthcare facilities.
Hartarto said developing health special economic zones is crucial to stem foreign exchange outflows as Indonesians seek medical treatment abroad.
Around 2 million Indonesians travel overseas for medical treatment each year, mainly to Singapore and Malaysia, resulting in estimated foreign exchange outflows of Rp200 trillion (US$11 billion).
To support Health SEZ development, the government is providing various facilities for medical personnel in these areas through the Ministry of Health.
Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono informed that the government is simplifying the issuance of Practice Permits (SIP) not only for Indonesian citizen doctors but also for foreign nationals.
"This knowledge transfer involves issuing practice permits for foreign doctors in Special Economic Zones. This way, foreign doctors can share their knowledge with our doctors," he noted.
In addition, the government has established regulations to support the development of stem cell-based diagnostic centers and regenerative services in health SEZs.
This will be followed by expediting revisions to the Minister of Health Regulation to establish mechanisms, facilities, and incentives for health SEZ development.
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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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