Facilities and easy access to health services for remote coastal island communities deserve maximum attention. Long distances and difficult terrain certainly hinder them from getting access to qualified health services. Although there is health insurance that reduces health costs, the cost of transportation to the location of health services can be very expensive.
To facilitate access to health services, Yayasan Dokter Peduli (doctorSHARE) provides medical assistance to the Floating Hospital often called RSA Nusa Waluya II. This health facility operates in Sorong, Southwest Papua, which has traveled to various remote islands in Indonesia.
RSA Nusa Waluya II is planned to serve people who need health services for approximately 45 days in Papua, with an estimated target of up to 5000 to 7000 patients, including minor and major operations. This Floating Hospital is much needed, especially in the Seget district and surrounding areas in the Sorong region. This philanthropic foundation in the health sector found that to get to the local Regional General Hospital (RSUD), residents have to go through expensive costs and difficult access.
RSA Nusa Waluya II, which takes the form of the world’s first barge, will continue to operate thanks to help from various parties. Some time ago, PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) signed a cooperation commitment as a supporting partner for medical assistance efforts through doctorSHARE. One of them plays a role in the sustainability of RSA Nusa Waluya II.
Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) is a company engaged in the maritime sector, they realize that one of the challenges in providing Health facilities in the world’s largest maritime country is accessibility. Especially for coastal communities and other island regions. The presence of a floating hospital is one of the answers and synergies to realize the real commitment of PIS to improve the welfare of coastal communities.
This collaboration is part of the PIS program entitled “BerSEAnergi untuk laut”. This program is a social and environmental responsibility that aims to improve the welfare of coastal communities while preserving marine ecosystems.
This collaboration opens up opportunities for people from all over Indonesia to get involved in the activities of this floating hospital. According to the community who want to volunteer as medical personnel to serve the community on the coast. The inauguration of this aid commitment was carried out by Yoki and Tutuk on November 19, 2023. The inauguration was also witnessed by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi and Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly who is also doctorSHARE’s Advisory Board.
Both Ministers appreciated the assistance provided by PIS for RSA Nusa Waluya II. This assistance is expected to serve the entire community in Southwest Papua to get access to adequate and well-affiliated health. RSA Nusa Waluya II started its service in December 2023. Assistance from donors who care to be able to provide health accessibility, especially for people in remote areas and remote islands. Currently, doctorSHARE has provided medical services to more than 350 thousand people, and will certainly continue to grow. This activity can also support medical personnel and various parties to be able to work with conscience. The existence of floating hospitals also makes it easier for the government to provide health services to the community, especially woman and children.