Eight Highland Papua Hospitals Set to Become Referral Centers

RRI.CO.ID, Wamena - Eight regional general hospitals (RSUD) in Highland Papua are set to be upgraded from Class D to Class C. The move is part of an effort to strengthen referral services and improve the hospitals' capacity to treat a wider range of diseases within the region.

Director of Referral Health Service Facilities at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Ghotama Airlangga, said the upgrade is expected to enhance healthcare services in Highland Papua, particularly for conditions that previously required treatment outside the region.

"Class C hospitals generally serve as referral centers for community health centers (Puskesmas). These facilities provide more comprehensive specialist medical services, particularly in four core specialties: internal medicine, including cardiology, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology," Ghotama said in a written statement in Wamena on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

In addition to upgrading hospital capacity, the Ministry of Health is implementing a mentorship program to strengthen healthcare workers' capabilities in Highland Papua. Through the program, regional hospitals are being connected with major hospitals across Indonesia to improve the management of diseases requiring specialist care.

The collaboration covers the treatment of cancer, heart disease, stroke, urogenital conditions, maternal and child health (MCH), tuberculosis (TB), PIE, diabetes mellitus, gastrohepatology disorders, mental health conditions, and eye diseases.

Ghotama hopes that strengthening healthcare facilities and human resources will reduce the need for Highland Papua residents to seek treatment outside the region.

"We hope that in the future, healthcare services for heart disease, stroke, and other severe illnesses will no longer require patients to be referred outside Highland Papua but can instead be provided locally," he said.

He said strengthening healthcare services in Highland Papua forms part of the ministry's effort to ensure equitable access to healthcare across Indonesia.

"Healthcare services should be equitable across all regions of Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke. The Ministry of Health's future agenda is to ensure equitable healthcare services throughout the country, particularly in Highland Papua and other regions of Papua," he said.

He added that the mentorship program has received support from the Governor of Highland Papua, which he described as crucial to improving healthcare quality in the region.

"We are very grateful that the Governor of Highland Papua has welcomed this mentorship program, paving the way for better and more advanced healthcare services in the region," Ghotama said. ***