Fight against ATM and Leprosy, Papua Provincial Government Asked to Synchronize Programs with the Center

HIV AIDS Illustration (Between)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Akhmad Wiyagus emphasized that the alignment of programs between the central and regional governments is a dead price in dealing with the health crisis in Papua.

The main focus at this time is directed at accelerating the elimination of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria (ATM), and leprosy, which are still major challenges in the region.

Wiyagus reminded that health affairs are not an option, but a basic obligation of the government that comes into direct contact with the needs of the community.

"We know that this health problem is a matter of government that is mandatory and directly bound to basic services," said Wiyagus as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

He emphasized that strengthening human resources (HR) is the main pillar of Astacita, so that the local government (Pemda) must place the health sector at the top of their program priorities to support national development.

The seriousness of the central government in dealing with this issue is evidenced by the deployment of a special team from the Ministry of Health directly to the field.

Wiyagus explained that this step is a form of the state's real presence to ensure that the Papuan people receive proper medical treatment.

"This is a big team that has been brought here to convince the entire people of Papua that the central government is very serious about paying attention to this health," he explained emphatically.

In its implementation, the local government plays a crucial role in coordinating all countermeasures, ranging from the provision of funds, early detection of cases, to mitigating the psychosocial and economic impact on patients.

Wiyagus also highlighted the importance of the pentahelix approach which involves academics to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

He sees this synergy as the only way out to comprehensively address the complex health challenges in Papua.

Apart from the medical and technical aspects, the Minister of Home Affairs underlined the importance of education through a socio-cultural approach.

Involving traditional leaders is a key strategy to provide an understanding to the community that diseases such as ATM and leprosy can be cured if handled properly from an early age.

"The important thing is to handle it from the beginning, to handle it specifically, educatively, so that later the community will easily digest it," concluded Wiyagus.