Jambi Governor Al Haris officially laid the first stone for the construction of the Bukit Tengah Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Kerinci Regency, Sunday (5/7/2026). This step marks a new historical milestone in the provincial government's efforts to equalize access to healthcare services, which have long been hindered by geography and the lack of adequate facilities in the region.
The construction of this hospital arose from the urgency of regional division, which resulted in the transfer of previous local healthcare assets to the Sungai Penuh City Government. Recognizing this limitation, the Jambi Provincial Government, together with the local government, engaged in intensive diplomacy at the central level to secure the construction budget so that the people of Kerinci no longer have to travel long distances to receive advanced medical treatment.
This ambitious project is costing a total investment of IDR 137.5 billion for the physical building and IDR 50 billion for the procurement of medical equipment, sourced from the State Budget (APBN). Governor Al Haris targets all construction and medical equipment procurement to be completed simultaneously by December 2026, so that specialized services such as hemodialysis, a heart center, and chemotherapy wards can be immediately utilized by residents.
In addition to focusing on physical infrastructure, the local government is also preparing a scheme to improve the quality of human resources through a specialist doctor education scholarship program (PPDS). This initiative was taken to ensure the new hospital will have competent and independent medical personnel to operate cutting-edge medical technology without having to rely on external staff.
Governor Al Haris gave strict instructions to contractors and technical agencies to prioritize high professionalism in the project's execution. He also requested the active involvement of local press to monitor the construction progress to ensure it remains transparent, on schedule, and provides a real impact on local job absorption in Kerinci Regency.
