TIMA Indonesia

Creating a Humanist Medical Team in Indonesia

With the hope of making medical care more accessible to the sick and needy, a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical personnel from various hospitals and clinics in Taiwan stepped forward by establish the Tzu Chi Medical Association in 1996. It was renamed Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), whose goals is to provide humanistic healthcare for needy patients. TIMA has established its presence in many countries around the world, providing opportunities for medical professionals to serve the sick in medically deprived areas or those who cannot pay medical expenses.

On September 9 - 13, 2000, the Tzu Chi Medical Association or commonly known as the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) held its annual meeting at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan. Medical volunteers, doctors and nurses from Indonesia who have participated in several health social service activities since 1999 also had the opportunity to participate in this activity. This event involved volunteer doctors from America, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, and various countries. Here, doctors shared their experiences and discussed finding new breakthroughs for humanitarian activities in the health sector that can be applied in their respective countries. After the meeting, Tzu Chi medical volunteers were invited to visit Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Medical College, and Tzu Chi Institute of Technology in Hualien.

A few months later, after returning from the meeting on May 27, 2001, Tzu Chi Indonesia held a seminar for Tzu Chi Indonesia medical volunteers at the Dusit Mangga Dua Hotel, North Jakarta. The participants who attended consisted of 40 doctors, 10 nurses, and 20 volunteers. The doctors and paramedics who came have participated in several Tzu Chi health social services. Apart from strengthening the relationship between fellow medical volunteers, this seminar also aimed to introduce the history, vision, and mission of Tzu Chi. Continuing from the seminar, finally the medical volunteers coordinated to set up TIMA Indonesia. This ideal was finally achieved with the establishment of TIMA Indonesia on November 10, 2002. When it was first established, TIMA Indonesia was chaired by dr. Budiono Sp. B. and his deputy dr. Hengky Ardono with 34 members.

Along with time, TIMA Indonesia members are increasing. Through TIMA gatherings and trainings which are held annually, TIMA members learn more about the mission and vision of Tzu Chi and build kinship. By the end of 2011, TIMA Indonesia had 492 members, consisting of 334 general practitioners and specialists, 31 pharmacists, 126 nurses, and 1 electromedic.