The Gorontalo Provincial Government has officially encouraged the active role of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Gastroenterology Association (PB PGI) to strengthen health service capacity in the field of digestive and liver systems in the region. This expectation was conveyed during the opening of the PGI Outreach 3 event held in Gorontalo City last weekend.
Expert Staff for Community Affairs and HR of the Gorontalo Provincial Secretariat, Masran Rauf, revealed that the health sector in Gorontalo is currently facing serious challenges regarding gastroenterology and hepatology services. Although the public demand for medical procedures such as endoscopy continues to increase, the availability of qualified specialists remains very limited.
"We strongly hope for strategic support from PB PGI, ranging from hospital guidance, technical mentoring for endoscopy services, to improving the competence of local healthcare personnel," Masran said while reading the speech of the Governor of Gorontalo. This step is expected to accelerate the creation of medical service independence for local residents without having to rely on out-of-region referrals.
Masran highlighted the fact that although endoscopy equipment is available at RSUD Dunda Limboto, the optimization of the service is still hindered by the absence of a permanent Gastroenterohepatology specialist. This situation forces patients to travel long distances to receive comprehensive treatment.
As a long-term solution, the regional government emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral synergy between the government, hospitals, educational institutions, and professional organizations. This collaboration is considered key to accelerating the fulfillment of qualified human resources, ensuring health service standards in Gorontalo are on par with other regions.
