Free health services have routinely been provided to native Papuans near the land border of Indonesia and PNG, especially those residing in Arso Timur sub-district, the task force's commander, Captain Budi Krisyanto, said.
"Providing the public health services is part of the task force's care for and community service to the people of Papua," he informed in a statement that ANTARA received here Monday.
The medical services are also expected to help lighten the burden of residents living near the border, he said, adding that the residents look happy to see the task force's medical team members arrive at their villages.
The task force's medical team members, who belong to the Koki B Pitewi command post, listen to the villagers carefully and provide them suitable medicines, he said.
The border task force personnel will continue to conduct the community service considering its significance for locals living near the Indonesia-PNG border, he added.
Kain Ronsumbre, a 59-year-old resident of Amyu village, thanked the task force for the free health service, saying it was very helpful for villagers.
ANTARA reported earlier that Indonesian soldiers in Papua are required to multitask amid the government's incessant efforts to bridge the regional development gap between Papua and other provinces.
The soldiers deployed in the Papua region are required to be responsive in seeking solutions to problems and challenges faced by Papuan communities in their daily lives.
The soldiers are also required to play the role of problem solvers for local communities amid their central task to defend the country's territorial integrity and guard the safety of Indonesians.
The geopolitical and geostrategic position of Papua, which shares land and sea borders with PNG, is indubitably important for Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Over the past few years, soldiers stationed in the region have been facing security threats posed by armed Papuan separatist groups operating in several districts.
Amid the security-related challenges, the soldiers have continued to demonstrate their concern for local communities by providing community services.
Several personnel of the Indonesia-PNG Border Security Task Force, for instance, have also been assisting locals through community services such as voluntary teaching, mobile libraries, and street cleanup programs.
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Translator: Ardiles L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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