REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA - The number of Indonesians travelling abroad for medical treatment shows an increase, according to Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu. "Some 1.2 million people go abroad every year for medical services, which runs counter to the government`s efforts to make the country a health tourism destination," she said on Friday.

"About 1.2 trillion IDR flows out of the country every year because of this," Mari added.

However, she pointed out that the trend could be reversed by improving the quality of health services in the country. "Right now an increasing number of hospitals in Indonesia - both private and public - have international certification for their standards of service, human resources and facilities, among other things," Mari noted.

Therefore, she expressed hope that the number of Indonesians going abroad for medical treatment would eventually shrink. With regard to the government`s efforts to develop and promote Indonesia as a health tourism destination, Mari said the government was planning build hospitals that would serve tourists seeking health services.

"So far, we have planned to provide these services in five locations - Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Manado. However, we hope to include more places soon," she explained.

"The health tourism industry is growing worldwide. According to several case studies, it has become a US$100 billion industry," Mari stated. "In less than two years, it has grown by 20-30 percent, considering that the health tourism industry was said to be worth 78.5 billion USD in 2010."

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