The establishment of clean water sources and sanitation facilities in Asmat regency, Papua, are being prioritized by the government.
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Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro
From left to right, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Archandra Tahar, Minister of Public Housing and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Health Nila F Moeloek, Minister of Social Affairs Idrus Marham, Cris Kuntadi and Minister of Women\'s Empowerment and Child Protection Yohana Yembise attend a consultation meeting with leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) in connection with the handling of an extraordinary occurence of measles outbreak and malnutrition in Asmat regency, Papua. The meeting was held at the DPR complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday (1/2).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The establishment of clean water sources and sanitation facilities in Asmat regency, Papua, are being prioritized by the government in the current health emergency response period that has been ongoing for almost a month. The availability of clean water is highly crucial for health care and will positively impact local clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) initiatives.
Thus far, people in Asmat regency, including those receiving treatment in Agats hospital and community health centers (Puskesmas) in local districts, rely on rainwater for clean water supply. If rain does not fall for long, locals – especially those in swampy regions – experience difficulty in obtaining clean water.
“Clean water is important as it will change many things,” Health Ministry director general of health services Bambang Wibowo said after a consultation meeting on Asmat health crisis between the government and the House of Representatives at the House complex in Jakarta on Thursday (1/2/2018). House deputy speaker Fadli Zon and heads and members of House Commissions VIII and IX were present in the meeting.
Also present were Social Affairs Minister Idrus Marham, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Susana Yembise and Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arcandra Tahar. Representatives of the Transportation Ministry, Home Ministry, Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police were also present.
Bored well
Bambang said that it was possible to construct wells in districts in Asmat to help health services at local Puskesmas. Constructing one 2.5-meter-deep well in one district costs Rp 2.8 million (US$196). The water is not brackish as it is far from the sea.
In the meeting, Basuki Hadimuljono said that his ministry was working with the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s geology office to conduct research on creating bored wells in Asmat. Bored wells are necessary as most people in Asmat currently rely on rainwater for clean water supply.
Basuki said creating bored wells was possible despite most of Asmat regency being swampy. In several other regions, such as in Merauke regency, there are already bored wells in swampy regions.
In response to the health crisis in Asmat, the Public Works and Housing Ministry will also build 150 homes with a budget of Rp 45 billion and repair 1,000 homes with a budget of Rp 15 billion. In 2017, the ministry repaired 200 homes in Asmat with a budget of Rp 3 billion.
The homes are constructed to conform to local traditions and geographical conditions. Basuki said that the construction project would also include creating adequate sanitary facilities, especially waste management system. A proper waste management system is important as houses in Asmat are located on top of swamps.
“For liquid waste management, we will build the system. As for solid waste such as plastics, we will also build the system. Locals will be involved in this,” he said.
Health monitoring
Some 600 children that had suffered from measles had been sent home from Agats hospital. Currently, only those suffering from malnutrition were still receiving treatment. Health monitoring on locals in 224 villages in Asmat are ongoing, including providing nutrient intake.
TNI commander Chief Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said during his visit to Agats on Thursday that curative measures alone would not be enough in tackling the health problem in Asmat. The health monitoring that was begun on Thursday involved doctors. Members of the military’s health emergency task force are currently present in 224 villages. “The operation will be carried out for 270 work days or one whole year,” Hadi said.
To assist health monitoring, the TNI has prepared big and small ships to reach the 224 villages. Communications and transportation are among several problems in Asmat.
Asmat regent Elisa Kambu said he was grateful for the central government’s response to the measles and malnutrition health emergency (KLB) in Asmat.
