Ministry Of Defense-Ministry Of Health Signs MoU To Build Hospitals In Conflict Areas, TNI Is Ready To Help Security

Head of the Army Information Service (Kadispenad) Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana said his party was ready to help the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) build hospitals (RS) in conflict-prone areas, one of which was in Papua.

Wahyu said the statement was in response to a memorandum of understanding or MoU signed by the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) and the Ministry of Health regarding cooperation in the construction of hospitals.

"In principle, if it has become a policy and in this collaboration with the Ministry of Health, we are ready to provide whatever assistance is needed," Wahyu told ANTARA, Monday.

According to Wahyu, the Indonesian Army is ready to deploy Zeni troops and other heavy equipment to be deployed to the location determined by the Ministry of Health.

His party has also prepared troops to protect workers from groups of separatists who often attack, as often happens in Papua.

Not only troops, Wahyu is also ready to send doctors or nurses from the Indonesian Army to serve at the hospital, as requested by the Ministry of Health.

However, when asked how many troops and health workers were prepared to assist the Ministry of Health, Wahyu could not explain in detail.

He only ensured that all his troops were ready according to orders from the Ministry of Defense.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin ensured that the TNI would cooperate with the Ministry of Health to build 14 hospitals in conflict-prone areas, one of which was in Papua.

"This is intended so that the implementation of the development can be safe and achieved in accordance with its objectives," said Sjafrie at the Ministry of Defense building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, July 22.

Sjafrie said that his party would support development in terms of the Zeni troops. Not only that, the TNI will also deploy its health workers to serve in the 14 hospitals.

During the construction process, the TNI will also deploy troops to guard against attacks by certain separatist groups.

Sjafrie ensured that the construction would take place in 2026.

At the same time, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin appreciated the assistance provided by the TNI through the Ministry of Defense.

According to him, the TNI is very helpful because it has complete development facilities, a large number of personnel to high security standards.

Budi believes the construction process will run smoothly if accompanied by the TNI.

"Because then the security will be neater," said Budi.