Saudi-Indonesia Deliver Free Heart Surgery, Strengthen Bilateral Ties

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A joint initiative between Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) and the Indonesian Ministry of Health has provided free heart surgeries, underscoring the close relationship between the two nations.

“This program reflects the depth and importance of the ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia,” Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Faisal Abdullah H. Amodi said in Jakarta on Friday, February 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara. 

He noted that the humanitarian effort demonstrates King Salman’s concern for communities in need worldwide, including Indonesia.

According to the ambassador, the program was carried out under the direct guidance of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. 

Beyond fulfilling a humanitarian duty to assist patients with heart disease, he emphasized, the initiative also helps ease the burden on patients and their families.

The ambassador credited the program’s success to strong collaboration between KSRelief’s medical team and Indonesian specialists, particularly from the Harapan Kita National Cardiovascular Center (RSJPD). 

“With God’s permission, Alhamdulillah, this program succeeded thanks to the cooperation of medical teams from both countries,” he said, while expressing gratitude to KSRelief and the Indonesian government and offering prayers for patients’ recovery.

KSRelief representative Aljohara Hamzah explained that the team comprised eight doctors - three surgeons, two anesthesiologists, and three intensive care specialists - supported by five nurses, two perfusionists, and two respiratory therapists.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono Harbuwono, conveyed appreciation for KSRelief’s assistance, which benefited four adult patients requiring non-surgical cardiovascular interventions and 31 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease requiring surgery. 

He noted that procedures were conducted at three hospitals: Harapan Kita in Jakarta, Adam Malik in Medan, and Wahidin in Makassar, focusing on congenital heart defects in children and aortic valve disorders.

The mission, held from February 2–6, treated a total of 35 patients. In addition to medical expertise, KSRelief also provided essential surgical supplies and medicines for congenital heart disease operations. ***