Release "Sung Luka" In The Belintara Bank Of Merauke

General Doctor Libertine Mandala Putri examined and discussed with residents with lung disease Frederickus Jesly Maijai, when a medical team from the Bupul Health Center carried out an action "pick up the ball" in the implementation of the Free Health Check Program (CKG) in Bupul Village, Elikobel District, Merauke Regency, South Papua.

MERAUKE - Frederickus Jesly Maijai had tough days, when circumstances forced him to languish for more than eight months at home.

The Papuan young man struggled with his lung disease in a small wooden house in Bupul Village, the wilderness of Elikobel District, Merauke Regency, South Papua.

The disease, known as tuberculosis (TB), not only erodes his physical health, but also kills the spirit of life of the man who is familiarly called Rikson.

Body muscles formed by nature, disappear, until the rest of the skin is wrapped in bones. His original weight was 63 kg, down to 46 kg.

Rikson never imagined that he would inherit the traces of his mother's illness at the age of 21, where he wanted to do many things in his life.

Disease has claimed many valuable things in Rikson's life. He had to leave high school (SMA) in Merauke City to return to his hometown so that he could be treated by his family.

While studying in the city, the swimming talent that grew since childhood led Rikson to enter a new profession as a swimming athlete. Seven gold and one silver medals hung on the walls of the living room witnessed their silent achievements in championships at the district and provincial levels.

The stage of the highest multi-sport competition in the country has also been felt, when he represented his area to take part in the 2020 Papua National Sports Week (PON), which he completed by being ranked sixth.

Villagers from families with economic conditions below, such as finding a way that changes their lives. Income as an athlete is also quite helpful in living in the city, even supporting the needs of families in the village, including the cost of treating his mother.

Given all the proud things that can't be done anymore, just makes Rikson even more immersed in despair.

"Every day I feel hopeless," he said, while talking to ANTARA.

Helped

After completing the sea swimming competition at PON, Rikson began to feel pain in his chest, until his cough was originally considered as the effect of drinking seawater while competing.

The drugs consumed for initial treatment can relieve the pain, so he decided not to carry out further examinations at the hospital in Merauke.

Rikson's health condition is actually not doing well. Along with his routine as a student and athlete, his immune system continued to decline. Cough and chest pain began to attack him more often, until he had a fever and lost his appetite.

Rikson, who was helpless against illness alone, decided to return to his hometown, leaving school and dreams of becoming a great athlete. Rikson returns with wounds in his body that he does not yet understand.

His longing to gather with his relatives can be cured, but not for the disease in his body.

In November 2024, the pain experienced began to peak, but his family did not take him to the Bupul Health Center in Bupul 2 Village to get more complete health services.

The difficulty of renting a vehicle to the puskesmas which is 20 kilometers from home, as well as for treatment and others is the main obstacle for the family. Rikson relies on no more income after quitting being a student athlete.

For two months, he has to endure, trying to relieve pain with makeshift drugs, including traditional medicines from plant-grown ingredients provided by his family.

Suspicion to find out his illness was answered, after the Bupul Health Center medical officer visited his house for a medical examination, including taking blood samples and phlegms.

The results of further examinations were determined that Rikson was suffering from lung disease. Since then, he has been helped through routine treatment and examinations carried out by medical personnel.

Medical aid is like a light that takes him out of the dark alley of the journey against illness. Rikson reached a bright spot that brought new hope for health again, returned to school, and restarted his athlete's career.

Enjoying CKG

Rikson and his father Oktavianus Yafet Mjai and his mother Arnela Dambujai warmly welcomed the medical team from the Bupul Health Center, when the team representing the presence of the country visited their house.

The team, which was attended by two representatives from the Ministry of Health, came to carry out the "Free Health Check" (CKG), one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship programs and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Rikson's family was lucky to be targeted by "pick up the ball" of free health services given by the general practitioner of the Bupul Health Center, namely Dr. Libertine Mandala Putri and her colleagues.

Various examinations were carried out, in the form of high blood pressure measurements, blood sugar, gout, cholesterol, weight and height, ear examination, eyes, mouth, to blood and phlegm sampling.

After the examination, the Libertine doctor also provided medicine and advice for all residents of the house to change their lifestyle to be healthier.

Rikson could not hide his joy when he saw his parents also took a more complete health check for the first time.

Moreover, the service is provided directly at home which makes his family do not need to spend any money. For Rikson, the CKG service, it helps accelerate the recovery process from the disease that has loomed over the past four years.

He repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the presence of the CKG Program, especially since residents do not need to spend money. The program has fostered new hopes for Riskon and other residents to enjoy healthy body and soul conditions.

As expected

In Elikobel District, CKG services continue to run through integrated service post activities (posyandu) spread across 12 villages and the "pick up the ball" action of medical personnel from the Bupul Health Center, by providing direct services at residents' homes.

The direct service in the field is highly expected by residents because they do not need to pay for renting a vehicle to go to the Bupul Health Center.

Doctor Libertine revealed that a long distance to the Bupul Health Center is one of the main reasons why residents generally are reluctant to visit the puskesmas to check their health.

Let alone renting a vehicle, financing basic daily needs is a big problem for residents, as experienced by the Rikson family.

When this CKG was run directly in the field, Libertine felt happy for the residents because the program was in line with what they expected.

The only general practitioner at the Bupul Health Center understands that the presence of CKG does not necessarily answer all health problems faced by Elikobel residents.

The low economic capacity, awareness of a healthy lifestyle, and the level of education of citizens are part of the main aspect that has an important impact on the level of public health.

However, at least the residents' need to hear their physical whispers through a more complete examination can be fulfilled, without being hindered by cost constraints.

Libertine and his colleagues have solidified their determination to continue to improve CKG services so that all Elicobel residents can benefit from the government's program.

During the period 11 February - 7 July 2025, the CKG Program service run by the Bupul Health Center has reached 764 people or 21.2 percent of the total beneficiaries.

The number of medical personnel and doctors who are lacking is a challenge in the CKG Program service, not only at the Bupul Health Center, but all puskesmas in Merauke.

Head of the Merauke District Health Office, Neville Muskita, said there was one shortage, such as dentists who were only in eight health centers from 25 health centers spread across the archipelago.

However, the Merauke Regency Government did not stop, let alone give up on these limitations. If the government apparatus waits for everything to be completed and then move, then all programs will be difficult to implement.

Merauke continues to move to improve CKG's achievements, with all its limitations, so that more residents are saved, such as Rikson who escapes his "pasung" wounds.