The Health Office (Dinkes) of West Papua Province has officially commenced the trial phase of a digital application titled "Papua Barat Sehat" (Healthy West Papua). This step was taken as a strategic effort by the provincial government to ensure that all Indigenous Papuans (OAP) have access to healthcare services that are entirely free of additional charges.
Head of the West Papua Health Office, Alwan Rimosan, explained that this application serves as a vital instrument to support transparency and accountability in implementing healthcare programs for the public. With this digital system, patient data can be recorded in real time, ranging from hospitalization processes and referral procedures to monitoring the healthcare facilities involved.
"The government wants to ensure there are no more financial obstacles for OAP patients. This system allows the governor, vice governor, and supervisory teams from Regional Device Organizations (OPD) to directly monitor whether services are being delivered according to regulations," said Alwan in Manokwari.
Furthermore, this program is designed to supplement services not covered by BPJS Kesehatan, including surgery costs, medication needs, blood supply, as well as rehabilitative and promotive services. Alwan stressed that his department is fully committed to cutting bureaucratic hurdles and costs that have often burdened the community.
Beyond data collection, the provincial government also instructed every hospital in the region to be more proactive in meeting patients' medication needs. Hospitals are asked to stop overburdening patients' families with finding medications, and instead provide internal solutions for the public's convenience. After the trial period ends, this policy will be reinforced through an official gubernatorial circular integrated with the BPJS Kesehatan system.
