Prabowo Highlights the Still-High Number of Indonesians Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad

Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto has raised concerns over the persistently high number of Indonesian citizens who travel overseas for medical treatment. Speaking at a recent health sector event in Jakarta, Prabowo underscored the need to strengthen Indonesia’s healthcare system so that its citizens no longer feel the need to seek better services abroad. “This is an issue of national pride and security,” Prabowo stated. “Too many of our people are spending their money in foreign hospitals—this is a signal that we must invest more in our own doctors, hospitals, and research.” According to estimates from the Ministry of Health, over one million Indonesians seek treatment abroad each year, with popular destinations including Singapore, Malaysia, and increasingly, South Korea. The spending associated with this medical tourism trend is believed to cost Indonesia billions of rupiah annually in lost economic potential. Prabowo called on government institutions, the private sector, and medical professionals to collaborate in improving healthcare infrastructure, technology, and human resources domestically. He emphasized the importance of equitable healthcare access, particularly in rural and remote areas. The incoming president’s remarks signal that healthcare reform may become a key priority under his administration, particularly in the context of reducing economic leakage and promoting national self-reliance in critical sectors like health. “We must be a country that our people trust,” Prabowo said. “They should be confident that Indonesia can provide world-class care right here at home.”

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