EU Ambassador visits EU-funded Teaching Hospital for Pandemic Preparedness at Universitas Hasanuddin
EU Ambassador visits EU-funded Teaching Hospital for Pandemic Preparedness at Universitas Hasanuddin
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Indonesia, H.E. Vincent Piket, visited Universitas Hasanuddin Teaching Hospital in Makassar, South Sulawesi. KFW, Germany's Development Bank, and the EU have committed vital funding of IDR 573 billion to the hospital, including to improve its capacity in the fight against future pandemics.
The EU’s funds will help strengthen the capacity of Universitas Hasanuddin’s teaching hospital in infectious diseases treatment and future pandemic preparedness. This is done through upgrading the hospital’s biosafety laboratory for virology diagnostics, the establishment of an intensive care unit (ICU) for contagious diseases as well as reinforcing overall research capabilities. KfW’s financing enabled the completion of the hospital construction while equipping the hospital with a state-of-the-art simulation centre and infrastructure for a telemedicine network and information system. In addition, with the EU support, the hospital will provide training and education in infectious disease management, diagnostic procedures, and surveillance activities.
Overall, this teaching hospital project will contribute to the increase of medical staff capacity as well as better access to quality healthcare for a population of more than 8 million population of South Sulawesi in particular and for the eastern part of Indonesia population in general, as the university also becomes a referral hospital that supports the health infrastructure system in the region.
The project is a part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, in which the EU establish economic partnerships and high-quality infrastructure investments to sustainably connect goods, people, and services across the world. The Global Gateway invests in various sectors, ranging from clean energy, green transport and digital infrastructure to strengthening health, education and research systems. “The EU’s Global Gateway strategy is an ambitious initiative to boost smart, clean, and secure links across the world. This strategy supports smart investment in various sectors while upholding social and environmental standards. I am glad that South Sulawesi becomes the host for an important Global Gateway initiative in Indonesia” stated EU Ambassador Vincent Piket.
Ambassador Piket highlighted his hope for the wider impact of the project. “Universitas Hasanuddin’s Teaching Hospital is a demonstration of how multilateral cooperation can significantly affect people all over the world. KfW’s and EU’s joint effort as ‘Team Europe’ will advance healthcare in Makassar through this hospital by increasing both its preventive and curative capacities” said Ambassador Vincent Piket. He added, “I am truly looking forward to the positive impact of EU support on the ground for the people of South Sulawesi.”
During his visit to Makassar between 22-23 June 2023, Ambassador Piket also met with public officials and academics to foster the EU-South Sulawesi’s partnership and to promote the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. Ambassador Piket paid a courtesy call to the Provincial Secretary of South Sulawesi, Ir Andi Darmawan Bintang, MDevPlg., on behalf of the Governor. During the meeting, the two discussed the economic trend in the province and its healthcare system. In addition, they explored cooperation in public transport and renewable energy. "We also discussed potential collaboration in sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, social development, ports, cold storage, fisheries, livestock development, and modernisation of agricultural equipment," added Provincial Secretary Andi Darmawan.
Ambassador Piket furthermore met with the Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin, Prof. Dr Ir Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc. to discuss potential cooperation in higher education and research sectors. He concluded his visit with a lecture to students of the university on EU’s policies, including the Global Gateway and the Green Deal.
Ambassador Piket’s visit to Makassar is part of a series of visits across Indonesia to strengthen the EU-Indonesia partnership, open new doors for cooperation, and promote the Global Gateway initiative, which holds immense potential for Indonesia.
