Central Papua Provincial Government Makes Baby Fund Program to Solve Population Issues

JAKARTA - The Central Papua Provincial Government (Pemprov) has made the test tube baby program as one of the solutions to maintain the growth of the Papuan Indigenous People (OAP) population, which is considered to be declining due to various reproductive health problems.

The head of the Central Papua Health Service (Dinkse), Agus, said the program was prepared free of charge for the public through the policies of the Governor and Deputy Governor, even though the cost of in vitro fertilization services is relatively high.

"The in-vitro fertilization program is on the way, so that Papuan people no longer need to travel outside the region. Just go to Central Papua and it's free," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, February 20.

He explained that based on health data, the birth rate in Central Papua has decreased, one of which is influenced by reproductive tract infections, both in men and women, due to poor health behavior patterns.

The in vitro fertilization program, he said, is expected to help couples who experience fertility disorders, as well as maintain the sustainability of the OAP population.

In addition to this program, he continued, the provincial government also carried out the KoHarus Sehat Program (Central Papua Healthy New Hope Otsus Card) which has three main approaches, namely preventive-promotive through health screening and immunization, health financing guarantee, and cross-government synergy.

He said that Central Papua currently has 150 health centers, but only 127 are registered and about 60 are accredited, so strengthening basic health services is still a priority.

The approach to financing health, he said, is to make it easier for people to get treatment services by using the Family Card (KK). If it is not covered by the National Health Insurance Fee Recipient (PBI JKN) from the center, then the financing will be borne by the district health insurance.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Papua Meki Nawipa emphasized that as a new province, Central Papua needs a specific approach to health development according to geographical conditions and community characteristics.

"This is a new province with different community characteristics, so we are looking for the right formula for more specific and specific handling," he said.

He added that the main focus of the local government was to ensure that all people could obtain free health services through strengthening cooperation with various hospitals.