Government Expands Health Services In Papua

JAKARTA - The government is holding free health services in a number of areas of Papua, which target students and the general public.

Head of the Nabire Regency Education Office, Dina Pidjer, said that one of the services provided was such as an eye examination for 1,043 students of SMP Negeri 1 and SMP Negeri 4. A total of 487 glasses were distributed free of charge to students in need.

"Children who may have never examined their eyes now have a chance from PTFI, so they can come directly to school to have their eyes checked," said Dina, Monday, August 11.

Meanwhile, the health services, which took place on August 5, 2025, became part of the social service to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, supported by PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), Nabire Hospital, the Indonesian Association of Eye Specialists (PERDAMI), and the Amungme and Kamoro Community Empowerment Foundation (YPMAK).

In addition to eye examinations for students, the local government has also prepared a cataract operation which will be carried out on August 11'14 at the Nabire Hospital. The screening process has reached more than 600 residents, with a target of 80 people undergoing surgery.

Then, the National Health Check (CKG) program was also implemented in Merauke Regency since early August. This program targets more than 50 thousand school children from elementary to high school levels.

Head of the Merauke District Health Office, Nevile Muskita, said the program was already running in all puskesmas.

"We have done it, friends at the Puskesmas have started walking this August," he said.

For the first year, CKG in Merauke is targeting 180,000 residents with a minimum achievement of 30 to 40 percent.

The implementation of eye examinations, distribution of glasses, and the CKG program is clear evidence of the presence of the government in ensuring the basic rights of the Papuan people to get health services. Support from various parties strengthens the reach of services, so that the benefits can be felt to coastal and inland areas.

"Our target is more than 180 thousand, now 34 thousand have been checked. The target is at least 30-40 percent of the 180 thousand targets for this year because this is a new program, maybe in the future it will only increase the following year. If school children can get 100 percent as rich as possible, we have now reached 20 percent for the entire target," said Nevile.