Photo: Difficulties in accessing hospitals have caused sick villagers in Subur and Aiwat to ignore their symptoms
BOVEN DIGOEL – For villages along the banks of the Digoel River, mainly Subur and Aiwat in Subur District, health symptoms are something to ignore rather than treat. Difficulties in accessing larger healthcare facilities, such as the regency hospital, have led to a general attitude of neglect despite the need for urgent care.
Worse, this has persisted in spite of health issues caused by poor sanitation and the humid climate. Locals have continued to complain about diseases like acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and itchy skin.
“For the people here, going to the doctor is hard work. Mostly problems lie in limited transport options, like we’re solely reliant on river travel, and the time it takes to go from one place to another is also long,” said Subur Village Government member Xaverius Aute. “It’s really tough to access proper healthcare because we live in riverine areas.”
Subur and Aiwat’s predicament has drawn the attention of PT Berkat Cipta Abadi (BCA), which soon rolled out free health services at both locations. The medical team led by BCA’s clinic doctor dr. Rizal Irsan served a wide range of demographics, from children to adults to elders.
“We provide general check-ups, and medicines according to needs. With early intervention, we hope to prevent diseases from becoming chronic and help residents stay healthy,” said Dr. Rizal at a recent interview.
Photo: BCA’s health services span general examinations and medications for the children, adults, and elders
Villagers have acknowledged the positive impacts of the initiative. “The company’s free health services have been a tremendous help to our community,” Xaverius Aute added.
During the visit last July, BCA’s clinic team also taught patients clean and healthy habits, underscoring the urgency of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene as a primary preventive measure against various diseases.
Through this event, BCA demonstrated its commitment as a subsidiary of South Papuan palm oil giant Tunas Sawa Erma Group to improving local community well-being and bridging healthcare gaps in remote areas. (HMS)
