The prestigious U.S. Mayo Clinic is clarifying its future role in developing the Bali International Hospital (BIH) that will be the centerpiece of the new Medical Special Economic Zone on Sanur Beach.
Reporting by The Jakarta Post and the Asia News Network quoted the United States-based Mayo Clinic Group stating it is “strictly” serving only as a consultant for the Bali International Hospital Project located within the Medical Special Economic Zone (SEZ) now under construction on Sanur Beach, Bali.
The 41.3-hectare development aspires to offer world-class care supported by international medical expertise. When completed, the BIH wants to persuade Indonesian patients seeking advanced care abroad to stay closer to home while enticing international travelers to undergo treatment in Indonesia.
Mayo Clinic has stated that it will have no part in the day-to-day running of the government-owned healthcare facility but will only be acting in a consulting capacity. Royston Lek, Mayo Clinic International’s executive Director for the Asia-Pacific Region, told The Jakarta Post the internationally-renowned U.S. hospital was “providing strategic advice and acting as a clinical knowledge partner for its Indonesian counterpart.” Adding, “We’re not running it.”
Reflecting a step-by-step approach by Mayo Clinic, Lek said on Thursday, 16 March 2023, he did not rule out the possibility that may the U.S. clinic eventually expand its medical collaboration with BIH.
Speaking separately, Lek said: “Pertamina Central Hospital [RSPP] is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, but obviously, Bali International Hospital will become our partner in the future, but we’re currently just doing a consultation with them.”
Bali International Hospital will be owned and operated by PT Pertamedika Indonesia Health Care Corporation, a State-owned company. Part of a large project that will include convalescent centers, retail outlets, a hotel, and a conference center – BIH is slated to open in Q4 2023.
The Indonesian Government has identified medical tourism as a priority investment category, with new international standard hospitals under development in Bali, Jakarta, and Medan.
The latest statement by the Asia Regional Director for Mayo Clinic lends a more tentative tone to earlier comments published by international media saying the Bali International Hospital would be “run in partnership” with Mayo Clinic. In October of 2022, Agus Ihwayudi, the BIH Project Manager, said the partnership agreement would entail bringing the Mayo Clinic brand and medical practices to Indonesia.
Mira Dyah Wahyuni, president director of Pertamina Bina Medika Indonesia Healthcare Corporation, describes Mayo Clinic’s initial involvement as extending only to assisting in establishing the hospital and as a medical consultant in the areas of human capital, permits, and healthcare equipment.
Wahyuni said upgrading skills and operational standards for BIH would follow this.
The Bali International Hospital will engage the services of 60 specialists, 19 general practitioners, 104 nurses, 73 supporting medical personnel, and 78 non-medical personnel. Medical manpower will be supplied from across Indonesia, and professionals from the Indonesian diaspora will be facilitated in using their foreign medical certification in Indonesia.
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