We will empower and utilize all community health centers and clinics at every refugee shelterJayapura (ANTARA) - The Papua Provincial Health Office is optimizing the role of community health centers (puskesmas) to tend to patients after riots broke out in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, on September 23, 2019.
"We will empower and utilize all community health centers and clinics at every refugee shelter," Secretary of the Papua Provincial Health Office Silwanus Sumule stated here on Thursday.
Sumule noted that the Papuan government has taken precautionary measures in the face of health cases, such as post-traumatic stress, injuries, and infections, which can possibly increase after riots in Wamena.
"Cases of infection due to wounds resulting from the riots can possibly increase. Hence, when conditions are safe, we have to be ready to provide health services required at the health centers," he remarked.
Sumule also forecast that cases of health problems in pregnant women are likely to spike since some of them at refugee shelters are at risk of ailing from psychological trauma after being displaced from their homes owing to riots.
"Hence, maternal and child healthcare -- in the midst of this emergency response period -- needs to be further intensified," he stated.
He also called for the need to maintain environmental health at refugee shelters in Papua to prevent outbreaks of certain diseases, including diarrhea, measles, and respiratory infections.
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Translator: Hendrina Dian Kandipi, Yuni Ar
Editor: Sri Haryati
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