The hospital was in dire need of medical doctors after 10 of its doctors who were traumatized by the impact of the deadly rioting applied for an emergency evacuation to Jayapura, Secretary of the Papua Health Office, Dr. Silvanus Sumule, said on Thursday.
Speaking to Antara in Jayapura, five other doctors working at the Wamena public hospital had even left the capital city of Jayawijaya District for Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province, Sumule said.
"We cannot stop the doctors because they are scared of and traumatized by the chaotic situation," Silvanus Sumule said, adding that the death of their colleague, doctor Soeko Marsetiyo, who was assaulted by the rioters, had made them anxious.
Considering this condition, 24 paramedics, including three specialists, were dispatched to the Wamena public hospital, Sumule said.
Speaking about the evacuation of Marsetiyo's body, Sumule said it would be transported by an Indonesian Air Force aircraft to Yogyakarta on Friday for burial.
Wamena's deadly rioting occurred during a rally that the native Papuan students staged on September 23.
Thirty people, including a medical doctor, were killed, while at least 77 others sustained injuries due to the riot that had also forced several thousands of residents, mostly non-native Papuans, to take refuge.
According to National Police Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo, the masterminds of this deadly riot are allegedly members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
Among the dead and the wounded were non-native Papuans who had been assaulted by rioters brandishing machetes and arrows.
On the day the violent rally took place, Commander of the 1702/Jayawijaya District Military Command, Lt. Col. Candra Dianto, said a gun battle between the Indonesian security personnel and a group of armed separatists also occurred around the Pasar Baru area.
The armed rebels might have used three guns and rifles. Presently, 1,300 military and police personnel are stationed in Jayawijaya District.
Related news: Wamena's deadly riot refugees tended to adequately at police compound
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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