Indonesia Ministry of Health studies provincial hospital for Papua Pegunungan

The Indonesian Ministry of Health is evaluating the construction of a provincial hospital in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, to enhance healthcare services in the Papua Pegunungan region. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to ensure equitable health access across Indonesia.

Obrin Parulian, Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry, stated that the provincial hospital is a priority for increasing access to comprehensive healthcare. He noted that Papua Pegunungan currently lacks a provincial government-owned hospital to serve as a referral center for its eight regencies. Existing hospitals are managed at the regency level and can only handle about 70-75% of medical cases, leaving a gap for more complex conditions.

The planned provincial hospital is expected to offer more complete medical services, including handling the remaining 20-25% of advanced medical cases that require modern facilities and specialist support. To move forward, the Ministry will conduct a feasibility study in collaboration with the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government and the Jayawijaya Regency Government.

Parulian emphasized the importance of close coordination with local governments to ensure the hospital is optimally managed once operational. This collaboration is seen as crucial for the effective long-term administration of the facility.