Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - Rakhine State has been identical with the Islam-Buddhist conflict when hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims were slaughtered by the Myanmar regime and driven out of their homeland.

Although Rakhine State has been torn apart by the ethnic conflict, it does not mean that peace is impossible to achieve.

On the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM) in Mongolia in mid-2016, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and Indonesia’s then Vice President Jusuf Kalla agreed to build an Indonesian Relief Hospital in Myaung Bwe, Mrauk U, Rakhine State.

The Indonesian government technically handed over the hospital in Myaung Bwe to the Myanmar government in Yangoon on Tuesday (Dec 10).

The Indonesian hospital was handed over by Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar Prof. Dr. Iza Fadri to Deputy Director General of the Myanmar Ministry of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Sports in Nay Pyi Taw, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry reported as quoted by Indonesia Window here on Wednesday.

Myanmar Minister of Health and Sports Dr. Myint Htwe and top officials from the ministry as well as representatives from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Indonesian Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) witnessed the ceremony.

The construction of the main and supporting buildings were completed in two years out of the estimated 10 months. The procurement of medical equipment is now under process.

The delay in construction was due to several factors, including security, floodings from incessant rains, lack of workers and building materials, as well as the low performance of local contractors.

With the completion of the hospital's technical construction work, the MER-C team has left the site.

Furthermore, the supervision and responsibility for the hospital construction is given to the Myanmar government to avoid damage due to unconducive security situation around the location.

The hospital will be inaugurated and fully handed over to Myanmar after the process of medical devices procurement and installation have been completed and can be operational in 2020.

Hospital

The Indonesian hospital consists of a main building of 2,214 square meters which includes an operating room, emergency room, X-Ray room, on a 4,644 square meter land.

In addition, there is a 11.25 square meter generator house with one unit of generator; mortuary building of ​​24 square meters; ground tank building with four automatic water pump units; and two concrete bridges.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar, Prof. Dr. Iza Fadri asserted that the hospital was a symbol of peace and friendship between Indonesia and Myanmar.

He hoped that the health facilities can be utilized by all people in Rakhine State, both Muslims and Buddhists, and promote peace in the region.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's Minister of Health and Sports in Nay Pyi Taw expressed his gratitude for the donations made by the Indonesian government and people, especially to PMI who had initiated the hospital development project and MER-C as the onsite executor.

He believed that the Indonesian hospital would be remembered by the Rakhine State people and strengthen the relations between the two countries.

The Myanmar government will try to maintain the hospital and make it a pilot hospital in Rakhine State that provides health services to all Muslims and Buddhists.

The hospital construction is a collaborative project between MER-C and PMI, and is supported by the Indonesian government.

The project funds come from the Indonesian Muslims, the Indonesian Buddhists, and many other donors.

The hospital’s design and construction are prepared by MER-C and local contractors.

During the construction, MER-C placed four people on site as supervisors. Meanwhile, PMI manages the medical devices procurement.

Not only does the hospital serve all people without looking at their background, but also convey an important message that Muslims and Buddhists can work together.

Reporting by Indonesia Window