MER-C Signs Contracts for RSI Development in Myanmar with Local Contractors

Ir. Faried Thalib (Right), along with the contractor shows the document of the construction contract of RS Indonesia Myanmar. Photo: MER-C

Rakhine State, MINA – The Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) signed a second phase of the construction of the planned Indonesian Hospital located in Rakhine State, Myanmar, on Wednesday (6/9) in Yangon.

The signing was done by member of MER-C,Presedium Ir. Faried Thalib with Kyaw Nay Oo, as Director of Rakhita Ah Linn Construction. Co.Ltd, a local contractor who won the tender for the construction of RS Indonesia.

“This is the second contract for the construction of the Indonesian Hospital The first phase is over and we are now about to start the second phase, “said Faried Thalib, a member of the MER-C Presidium, shortly after signing the contract.

The former manager of the Indonesian Hospital Development Project in Gaza (Palestine) explained that the second phase of the construction of this hospital is the construction of dormitory buildings for doctors and nurses.

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“We prioritize the construction of residential houses for doctors and nurses and after that we will soon build the main building simultaneously” he said.

“This is part of the humanitarian diplomacy conducted by MER-C. The establishment of this hospital is expected to benefit the people of Myanmar who are now in conflict and more importantly will help to alleviate the conflict in this region,” he explained.

Faried added that Indonesia with MUslim occupants as majority and Buddhist as a minority should be an example for the government and people of Myanmar, that diversity is not a reason to fight, but instead mutually protect one another.

“Moreover, the location of the hospital is between Muslim and Buddhist areas, so it can be a facility to reconcile all the residents there” he continued.

Humanitarian diplomacy

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The construction of RS Indonesia in Rakhine State, Myanmar is part of the humanitarian diplomacy that has been conducted by MER-C since the humanitarian medical institution built the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, Palestine.

Especially for the conflict area of Myanmar, the development effort started with the first mission of MER-C to Rohingya in 2012 and continued with assessment to the location of land for RS Indonesia in Mrauk U in August 2015. At that time, Tim immediately make a purchase (land acquisition because the land is state property), precisely in Mrauk U, Rakhine State.

In May 2017, after being delayed for two years, the construction of RS Indonesia was officially started. This is due to the initiation of Vice President of RI M. Jusuf Kalla who give positive support and hope RS Indonesia can be realized in the period of one year ahead. The PMI General Chairman also gave an encouragement for RS Indonesia to become a joint program of MER-C and PMI.

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A series of coordination meetings between MER-C, PMI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries have been held several times in the office of the Vice President and PMI Headquarters to follow up and accelerate the development of RS Indonesia.

MER-C has formed a fm implementing the development of RS Indonesia in Rakhine State consisting of experienced engineer volunteers in
the construction of an Indonesian hospital in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Although the development is left to local contractors, MER-C will place volunteer engineers in the field to oversee the entire process of RS Indonesia’s development at Rakhine State until construction is completed. (T / R04 / RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency * MINA)