Indonesian medical team feted for humane service to Palestinians

Indonesians in the UAE celebrated their 80th Freedom Day from The Netherlands on August 17 (Sunday). Theme was “United and Sovereign, Prosperous People, and Advanced Indonesia.”

Ambassador Husin Bagis bestowed awards that included the “Dharma Kemanusiaan” to the 25-man medical team from the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI – Indonesian National Military) that recently concluded their humanitarian mission at the UAE Floating Hospital in El Arish City, Northern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

The ambassador, who led the whole day festivities, beginning with the 6:30 am traditional flag raising ceremonies at the front yard of the Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Al Bateen District, conferred as well awards to four staff of the diplomatic mission.

The embassy was inaugurated on October 28, 1978. Diplomatic and bilateral relations between the largest Southeast Asian economy and the UAE officially began in 1976.

The UAE is presently the home of 70,000 Indonesians. Majority work in various industries and sectors including oil and gas, aviation, hospitality, and domestic.

For serving between 28 and 30 years, Bagis granted “special awards” on Political Affairs staff Suratno Munajab and Protocol and Consular Affairs team members Imam Asrori and Herdi Herrispiadi.

Administrative staff since 2016 Muhammad Sirojudin was honoured with the “Pegawi Teladan” or “Exemplary Employee” for his outstanding capability to work with others, “dedication, discipline, and loyalty.”

The third wave of TNI Medical Team, who had served the complex medical needs of Palestinians, in the nearly two-year-old Israel-Hamas conflict, by way of the UAE-organised “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” received the “Humanitarian Service Award” from Bagis, through team leader Colonel Ckm. Dr. Syahrial, Sp.B. They arrived in Abu Dhabi on August 16 (Saturday) and were on their flight back to Jakarta on Monday evening.

The enduring support for an independent Palestine and the untiring assistance of Indonesians to Palestinians is greatly ingrained in history and in their Constitution, according to the Antara Indonesian National News Agency (Antara).

“History records that Palestine expressed solidarity with Indonesia even before Indonesia declared independence. Palestine recognised Indonesian sovereignty as early as 1944. The Grand Mufti of Palestine, Sheikh Muhammed Amin AL-Husaini, together with a wealthy Palestinian merchant, Muhammad Ali Taher, broadcast their people’s support for Indonesia independence through Arabic language radio and media on September 6, 1944. Their support did not stop there; both men actively lobbied for sovereign states in the Middle East to recognise Indonesian independence.”

On the average, since late quarter of 2024 and every four months, TNI medical doctors and nurses have been deployed for the UAE Defence of Ministry-Department of Health Abu Dhabi-Abu Dhabi Ports Authority-led humanitarian service to the Palestinians.

Antara quoted Indonesian Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto, as saying that the third wave of the TNI Medical Team nursed “7,247 patients and performed 131 surgical procedures.”

On the way to the UAE Floating Hospital and UAE Rafah Field Hospital in south Gaza are 25 other Indonesian specialists in Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Medical Rehabilitation, Nursing, Health Analysis, and Pharmacy.

In the UAE for 10 years as the One Indonesia Team head, Ambassador Bagis is hopeful that the Indonesia-UAE relations “will continue to greater progress and prosperity” by way of strengthened collaborations and partnerships rooted on respect.

Bagis is looking forward to the “soon to be realised” inauguration of the UAE-Indonesia Cardiology Hospital situated at the Solo TechnoPark in Suarakata, Central Java. This collaborative project was formalised with the “Cooperation Agreement” signed between Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh in 2023.

Bagis said the project is funded by the UAE Government and once operational, it is to improve and quicken the delivery concerning heart diseases.

Another “groundbreaking” venture between Indonesia and the UAE, according to Bagis, is the Mohamed Bin Zayed College for Future Studies, the construction of which began in February 2024. It is located in Yogyakarta, Central Java. It is a “collaboration between the Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanities and the Nahdlatul Ulama University of Yogyakarta." It focuses on the integration of Islamic and sustainability values with the sciences, artificial intelligence and robotics.