Jakarta Moves to Build an International Hospital on Sumber Waras Land
In a show of strong support for elevated healthcare capacity, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin backed Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung’s plan to develop an international hospital on the former Sumber Waras Hospital site in West Jakarta. The initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to improve the nation’s hospital quality and accessibility.
Ministerial Endorsement and Strategic Goals
Speaking after a meeting at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Minister Budi emphasized, “Let’s build a quality hospital.” He underscored that the project aims to reduce the number of residents seeking medical treatment abroad, a trend he described as a burden on families and the nation’s healthcare system. “This is intended to reduce the number of patients going abroad, many of them from Jakarta,” he noted.
The minister also touched on the broader mission: establishing a facility that meets international standards. He highlighted the need for a robust healthcare workforce capable of operating at high international benchmarks, adding that doctors recruited for the hospital must adhere to internationally recognized quality levels.
Financing and Operational Plans Under Discussion
While the exact financing details remain under negotiation, the meeting explored several funding options to support the hospital’s construction and ongoing operation. Minister Budi avoided sharing specific figures or mechanisms but indicated that financial planning is integral to delivering a top-tier international hospital.
Another focal point of the discussions was the staffing and clinical expertise required to run a facility of this caliber. The Ministry of Health signaled a commitment to ensuring the hospital is equipped with highly skilled professionals capable of delivering cutting-edge care.
Pramono Anung’s Vision for Sumber Waras
Governor Pramono Anung described Sumber Waras Hospital’s land as a strategically located asset with significant potential. He noted that the proposed site sits near other private hospitals, suggesting a favorable ecosystem for a premier international hospital. Pramono proposed two options: (1) reclassify Sumber Waras as a National Strategic Project (PSN) pending central government approval, or (2) proceed with Jakarta-led development as an international hospital with central government support for equipment and essential services.
“The location is very strategic, close to other private hospitals,” the governor remarked, reinforcing the case for a high-quality medical hub that could attract patients from across the region and discourage medical travel abroad.
Context and Compliance
Historically, the project follows a period of scrutiny surrounding the land tied to Sumber Waras Hospital. In 2023, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that it stopped the investigation into the recovery and utilization of land assets owned by the Sumber Waras Health Foundation by the Jakarta Provincial Government, citing insufficient evidence. The current plan emphasizes transparency and alignment with national health priorities as it advances through prospective regulatory channels.
Next Steps
The ministry and Jakarta authorities plan to coordinate with the central government to finalize the model, financing, and equipment packages necessary to realize an international hospital that can set new standards in Indonesia’s healthcare landscape. As discussions continue, stakeholders remain hopeful that such a facility could reduce patient leakage and establish a modern reference hospital that serves residents of Jakarta and beyond.
Contributors: M Raihan Muzakki
