JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government hopes the Ministry of Health will provide affirmative action in the recruitment of healthcare workers, especially for indigenous Papuans.

“We are requesting special affirmative action, especially in vertical hospitals. If they are from Papua, they will certainly serve with heart,” said Acting Regional Secretary of Papua, Suzana Wanggai, after the groundbreaking ceremony for Kwaingga Hospital in Keerom on Friday (July 4, 2025).

According to her, many healthcare workers from outside Papua request transfers after a few years of service. Meanwhile, local health workers are considered more resilient and better understand the region’s conditions.

In response, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed his commitment to providing specialist scholarships for indigenous Papuan doctors.

He also asked local governments to identify and guide local human resources so they can be included in health education programs.

“We are ready to help. If there’s someone funded by the regional government who asks for a transfer, just report them to me,” said Budi. ***