In a historic moment on the third anniversary of Central Papua Province’s formation, Governor Meki Nawipa stood before a crowd of community leaders, health workers, youth, and women’s cooperatives to unveil a program that may redefine how health and economic resilience are viewed in the Papuan highlands. The program, boldly titled “Ko Harus Sehat” (You Must Be Healthy), aims to shift the region’s long-neglected public health landscape into one that centers on Indigenous Papuan wellbeing, grassroots empowerment, and sustainable development.
Launched on July 31, 2025, at the Governor’s Office in Nabire, “Ko Harus Sehat” is more than just a government slogan. It is a multidimensional health movement rooted in three key pillars: Healthy People, Resilient Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and a Brighter Central Papua.
“We are making a firm declaration that health is not a privilege, but a right,” Governor Nawipa stated during the launch. “And that right must be enjoyed by every Orang Asli Papua (OAP) in the city and in the most remote villages.”
A Turning Point for a Young Province
Central Papua is one of Indonesia’s newest provinces, established in 2022 as part of the national government’s broader effort to promote autonomy and accelerate development in Papua. But with administrative novelty came great challenges: fragile healthcare infrastructure, poor sanitation in rural districts, and high rates of maternal and child mortality—issues long endured by Indigenous communities in regions such as Nabire, Dogiyai, Deiyai, Paniai, and Intan Jaya.
Over the past three years, Governor Nawipa’s administration has been laying the groundwork for an integrated public health strategy that doesn’t just treat illnesses but targets the root causes of vulnerability—poverty, isolation, and lack of education. “Ko Harus Sehat” is the culmination of that vision.
According to the governor, the program is designed to be participatory, culturally adaptive, and economically empowering. It also aligns with Papua’s traditional philosophy that health is interconnected—between the land, the people, and the collective spirit of the community.
Breaking Down the “Ko Harus Sehat” Program
- Healthy People (“Rakyat Sehat”)
The first component of the program prioritizes preventive and promotive healthcare for all Papuans, with a focus on Indigenous residents who live in geographically challenging terrain.
Mobile clinics, basic immunization drives, clean water installations, and village-level nutrition programs are among the initiatives now being rolled out. Special attention is given to mothers and children, a group most affected by preventable diseases and malnutrition in the region.
To build local capacity, the government is also deploying local health volunteers (kader kesehatan) who are trained in basic medical care and public health education, allowing culturally appropriate health messages to reach deep into traditional communities.
“We want to make sure our people are not just surviving but thriving,” said Elisabeth Douw, Head of the Central Papua Health Agency. “And that begins with clean water, healthy children, and strong mothers.”
- Resilient MSMEs (“UMKM Tangguh”)
Health and economy are intrinsically linked. Recognizing this, the second pillar of “Ko Harus Sehat” seeks to empower Papuan-owned micro and small businesses—especially those led by women and young people.
Training workshops, microcredit programs, and support for traditional product packaging and marketing are now being facilitated through cooperation between the provincial government, Bank Papua, and local cooperatives.
“We’re building a circular model,” explained Melkias Tebai, head of the regional economic bureau. “When people are healthy, they can work. When they can work, they can build businesses. And those businesses, in turn, help families and villages grow stronger.”
A notable success story is the Mama-Mama Papua Cooperative in Nabire, where Indigenous women are now producing and selling packaged sago flour, traditional herbal drinks, and woven crafts—products that are beginning to enter urban retail markets in Jayapura and Sorong.
- Bright Central Papua (“Papua Tengah Terang”)
The third component, while symbolically titled, is literal in scope. It includes efforts to electrify rural villages, improve digital literacy, and expand access to clean energy solutions. Working with national partners and non-governmental organizations, the Central Papua administration has begun deploying solar-powered health posts and eco-friendly water filters.
“This isn’t just about turning on a lightbulb,” Governor Nawipa noted. “It’s about bringing hope and dignity to every Papuan household.”
The Challenge of Health Inequity
Despite being rich in natural resources, Papua continues to rank among the lowest in national health indices. According to the Ministry of Health, Papua’s maternal mortality rate is more than double the national average. Infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis remain endemic, and basic access to doctors and hospitals is highly limited outside major towns.
The “Ko Harus Sehat” program attempts to address these disparities through a blend of innovation and localization. For example, rather than relying entirely on centralized hospitals, the program strengthens Pustu (village health posts) and builds partnerships with faith-based clinics, which have long served as a frontline safety net in the region.
One such clinic, run by the Kingmi Church in Paniai, reported receiving its first provincial health grant this year. “We’ve been here for decades with very little support,” said Dr. Naftali Gobai, the clinic’s director. “This is the first time we feel seen by the government.”
Community-Led, Not Top-Down
A defining feature of “Ko Harus Sehat” is its community-first approach. The program actively involves tribal elders, church leaders, youth organizations, and women’s groups in every stage—from planning to implementation.
This method ensures that solutions are not just delivered but embraced. Health messages, for example, are translated into local languages and delivered through storytelling, music, and community radio rather than bureaucratic pamphlets.
As Rev. Yulius Dogomo, a respected church leader in Deiyai, emphasized, “For change to last, it must come from within. We must walk together—the government, the people, and God.”
Looking Ahead
With support from national institutions like BSKDN Kemendagri and development agencies, Central Papua hopes that “Ko Harus Sehat” will serve as a model for other provinces across Eastern Indonesia.
Plans for 2026 include:
- Expanding health volunteer training to all eight regencies,
- Launching digital health records accessible via mobile apps,
- And building an Indigenous Health and Nutrition Research Center in Nabire.
Governor Nawipa has also expressed a desire to integrate “Ko Harus Sehat” into the provincial school curriculum, embedding health consciousness into the mindset of future generations.
“We are not just healing bodies,” he said at the conclusion of his speech. “We are nurturing a healthy, proud Papuan identity.”
Conclusion
The “Ko Harus Sehat” program marks a transformative step forward in Central Papua’s journey toward equitable and sustainable development. Launched by Governor Meki Nawipa on the province’s third anniversary, the initiative addresses deeply rooted health disparities through a culturally grounded, community-driven approach that goes beyond medical treatment. By integrating public health, local economic empowerment, and infrastructure development, the program offers a holistic strategy to uplift the well-being of Orang Asli Papua (OAP) across the highlands.
Its emphasis on grassroots participation, Indigenous values, and cross-sectoral collaboration makes it not only a public health movement but also a symbol of dignity, unity, and hope for a region long overlooked. As the program expands, “Ko Harus Sehat” could serve as a replicable model for other remote provinces in Indonesia, proving that real change starts with healthy people—and healthy people build resilient communities.