On June 14, 2023, Tzu Chi Hospital in Indonesia celebrated its first anniversary with the theme "First Step for a Brighter Future." The atmosphere was joyous as hospital management, medical staff, administrative colleagues, and volunteers gathered to celebrate.
A year ago, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia attended the inauguration of Tzu Chi Hospital. In his speech, the President urged citizens to seek medical care locally at Tzu Chi Hospital instead of going abroad. Reflecting on the past year, Superintendent Gunawan Susanto (謝源生) expressed his gratitude for the community's trust and support. "I am very grateful that people trust Tzu Chi Hospital. In the six months following the hospital's opening, the number of patients has steadily increased, thanks to the dedication and collective efforts of our staff," he said.
A Patient's Heartwarming Gesture
As the superintendent mentioned, the hospital's success is not by chance but due to the staff's sincere care and adherence to Tzu Chi's principles of sincerity, integrity, faith, and steadfastness.
Tiara Sigar, a pharmacist, shared a touching story about a female patient. "A female patient always bid us farewell before leaving and said, 'Thank you to all the staff—nurses, administrators, doctors, and pharmacists. Everyone is wonderful. I'll bring some snacks for you next week.' Despite our assurance that her satisfaction was enough, she returned with snacks, carefully counting them to ensure everyone received a share."
Tiara noted that this woman was not from a wealthy background, but she chose to share what she had, making everyone happy and grateful. This experience deeply moved Tiara, teaching her that "serving others is more fulfilling than being served."
Creating Positive Connections for a Meaningful Life
Hospital volunteers also joined the celebration. Laksmi Widyastuti (明柔), deputy leader of the Tzu Chi Hospital volunteers, said, "Happy Birthday, Tzu Chi Hospital! We hope to continue improving, serving patients with professionalism, kindness, humanistic care, and great love. May we help more people in the future."
Senior volunteer Pit-lu Jong (楊碧露) regularly serves at the hospital. She remarked, "Tzu Chi Hospital is a platform for serving others. Even small actions can warm a patient's heart. We are grateful for this place where we can form positive connections and make our lives more meaningful."
With volunteers, the hospital's service becomes more comprehensive, and many patients feel the unique warmth. Yang added, "We've met many patients who give us two thumbs up. They say Tzu Chi Hospital's service is the best. It's not the praise that makes us happy but knowing our care is making a difference."
Staying Humble, Striving for Excellence
Su-mei Liu, CEO of Tzu Chi Indonesia, expressed her gratitude for the hospital staff's efforts over the past year. "I hope next year our hospital will be even better. With excellent doctors, nurses, and volunteer support, we can become a truly loving and warm hospital."
Liu also appreciated the volunteers' support, which helps doctors, nurses, and staff from different backgrounds come together as a united team, integrating Tzu Chi's spirit into the hospital, showcasing its soft power.
She concluded by encouraging everyone, saying, "Master Cheng Yen believes that Indonesia's success comes from unity, harmony, mutual love, and joint efforts, along with sincerity. We must stay humble, devout, and grounded to achieve an even brighter future."
