Manokwari, W Papua (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry will prepare the West Papua Provincial Public Hospital (RSUP) as a national-standard referral hospital for heart, stroke, kidney, and cancer patients.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Health Services of the ministry Azhar Jaya conveyed the statement at the inauguration ceremony of the hospital here on Monday.

He drew attention to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin's target that within the next two years, the ministry will have issued a decree (SK) on the appointment of West Papua RSUP as a referral hospital for heart, stroke, kidney, and cancer patients.

Related news: Public activity restrictions extemded despite no COVID-19 case spike

In addition to the four diseases, the hospital will be readied for maternal and child treatment, especially to deal with obstructed labor (dystocia) since these health conditions carry a high risk of death in various regions across Indonesia.

“Hence, the minister’s goal will also be realized immediately in every provincial hospital in Indonesia," the secretary stated.

The ministry will collaborate with the West Papua Provincial Government to improve the class of the hospital from Class C (district level) to B (provincial level), as well as prepare various supporting facilities, equipment, and human resources required in each medical expertise, he noted.

Related news: People should support COVID-19 tracing to prevent case spike: Asmoro


He expected that after the inauguration, the local government will immediately resubmit the operational permit of West Papua RSUP to the ministry to change it from Class C Operational Permit to Class B Operational Permit and complete the requirements to become a class B hospital.

"Thus, in future, we must make more preparations for the hospital to give the best service for the people of West Papua Province,” Jaya noted.

He remarked that if the provincial government decides to use the special autonomy (Otsus) fund to improve the hospital, then the ministry is ready to offer additional support in future through the special allocation fund (DAK).

Related news: Jokowi departs for Washington D.C. to attend ASEAN-US Special Summit

Related news: Some 19 Depok city government employees test positive for COVID-19