West Papuan now can get medical treatment freely with the Papua-Health Card (KPS). All medical cost is claimed by the government of Indonesia.
Governor Lukas Enembe and Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia issued the Papua-Health Card (KPS). This card can be used by West Papuan to access health facilities free of charge. When the program released in 2014, the Government of Indonesia has contributed fund in the amount of Rp800 billion rupiahs for its enforcement. The source of the fund is from the Regional Development Budget of Papua Province and fund from the Central Government. For three years implementation, KPS has reached 3,9 million West Papuan.
“KPS will cover all disease including providing the service of the test-tube baby,” said the Executive Director Accelerating Health Development Unit Papua Province, Aloysius Giyai.
The West Papuan already feel the benefits of KPS, especially the underprivileged residents. Around 2014-2015 Central Hospital of Merauke has served 71.482 indigenous West Papuan registered to KPS. Central Hospital of Jayapura frequently did a major surgery like neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and plastic surgery to the member of KPS. The use of KPS could save patient’s cost from 500 million rupiahs to 750 million rupiahs. Besides, in August 2017, team doctor from Tk. II Marthen Indey Hospital has successfully done a surgery on the two arthroplasty patients, namely Mrs. Tince Wapore and Mr. Hendrik Pallo.
“Both patients were using KPS, where all the operation cost is funded by KPS. This is a prove that KPS could be used by the registered patients and this card also gives many benefits for the patient,” said Dr. Budiono, the Head of Tk. II Marthen Indey Hospital.
The Special Rapporteur of United Nation Human Rights Council, Dr. Dainius Puras was impressed with the medical facilities, KPS, in West Papua. In his mandate, he visited the health center in West Papua, like Walihole Clinic, Community Health Center Harapan Sentani, and Central Hospital of Jayapura.
Dr. Puras said that Indonesia has been on the right track in providing the health services to the community. In particular, the concerned appreciate the initiatives of the Regional Government, in the publication of KPS (Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 2017)
Keyword: Papua Health Card, West Papua, Indonesia, healthcare, medical facility, Ministry of Health, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, West Papuan
