Nakes In Kiwirok Becomes Victim Of KKB Brutality, IDI Papua Asks For Security Guarantee

IDI Papua together with 250 health workers held a peaceful demonstration by walking or 'long march' around the protocol road in the capital of the Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua, Oksibil/ Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) of Papua Province condemned the acts of violence experienced by a number of health workers in Kiwirok District, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua Province, by KKB.

"We ask the Papuan provincial government and the TNI-Polri to ensure the security and safety of health workers on duty throughout Papua," said Donald Aronggear, Head of IDI Papua Region, in a written statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Friday, September 17. .

Donald called for a statement on the position of the IDI organization to ask for guarantees for the security and safety of health workers for the smooth running of health services throughout the Papua region.

The call was conveyed by IDI Papua to all relevant parties, especially the Papua Provincial Government.

"We also ask the Papuan Provincial Government to coordinate with the city/district government, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and community leaders to be involved in maintaining the security of health workers in carrying out their duties," he said.

According to Donald, the violence took the form of burning health facilities by armed criminal groups, resulting in several health workers being injured and one of them dying.

Donald hopes that similar incidents will not be repeated, so that health workers can provide services calmly without intimidation that triggers fear.

Meanwhile, in a virtual press conference held by the IDI Mitigation Team and IDI Papua Region, Friday morning, Donald said that the Papuan people are currently in need of health services, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Donald fears that violent acts against health workers will have an impact on the decline in health services for the local community due to the reduced number of health workers. On Thursday, September 16, IDI Papua together with 250 health workers held a peaceful demonstration by walking around the protocol road in Oksibil, the capital city. Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua.

Demonstrators put up black ribbons and lit 1,000 candles along the way. The action was a visualization of grief and respect for the deceased named Gabriella Meilani who worked as a nurse at the Kiwirok Health Center.

Currently, said Donald, all health workers who survived the incident have been evacuated to Jayapura.