Jakarta, Sept. 15 -- Indonesia still needs an estimated US$26 billion to US$27 billion to transform its national health system, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said.

The move aligns with the targets to increase the average life expectancy to 76 years and healthy life expectancy to 65.

Speaking at the 4th Indonesia Health Partners Meeting (IHPM) in Jakarta on Tuesday, he explained that the two targets are aimed at ensuring Indonesians live longer and enjoy more healthy years.

"It is not pleasant to live a long life only to suffer from dementia in your final decade, or to have a stroke that prevents you from walking properly in your last ten years," he said.

Budi explained that transforming the health system requires a total of US$2...