REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — In line with President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto’s directive to develop Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for healthcare across Indonesia, Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir has affirmed the ministry’s full commitment to realizing this ambitious vision.
Following the successful inauguration of the Sanur Health SEZ and the Bali International Hospital (BIH) in Denpasar on June 25, 2025—which marked a significant milestone in the transformation of the national healthcare system—the SOE Ministry is now formulating a strategic plan to replicate this model in other regions.
“President Prabowo has issued a clear mandate: the state must take the lead and ensure access to quality healthcare for its people. The Health SEZ is a tangible response to that call,” said Erick Thohir in Jakarta, Thursday (26/6/2025).
He highlighted that approximately two million Indonesians seek medical treatment abroad each year, costing the nation nearly Rp 150 trillion annually.
“To address the challenge of achieving health sovereignty, we will mobilize SOEs in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors and work closely with relevant ministries and institutions to accelerate the establishment of Health SEZs nationwide,” added the former Inter Milan president.
The Ministry will maximize the role of the pharmaceutical SOE holding—comprising Bio Farma, Kimia Farma, and Indofarma—alongside the state hospital holding under Pertamina Bina Medika IHC. This synergy will focus on enhancing international-standard healthcare services, advancing medical research and innovation, and expanding public access to high-quality medical care.
President Prabowo has emphasized that Health SEZs are not only intended to reduce dependency on foreign healthcare services but also to promote equitable development and national self-reliance.
With the potential to attract trillions of rupiah in investment and create tens of thousands of jobs, the expansion of Health SEZs across Indonesia is expected to become a new engine of economic growth—anchored in healthcare excellence and medical tourism.