According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the HDI of Highland Papua Province in 2024 stood at 54.43 percent—the lowest reading in Indonesia.
Acting Governor of Highland Papua Velix V. Wanggai said here on Saturday that to improve the HDI in the region, several sectors must be prioritized.
They include education, health, economy, infrastructure, people's empowerment, and cooperation between the government and international agencies, he added.
"We need to increase access to primary and secondary education, boost the quality of education through teacher training, and improve school infrastructure," he said.
He further said that it is important to improve access to basic health services, such as local health centers and hospitals, enhance the quality of health services by providing training for healthcare workers, and improve healthcare infrastructure.
"The key is to raise health awareness within the community so that the health index in Highland Papua can improve," he added.
In the economic sector, he talked about ways to increase job opportunities and improve entrepreneurial skills, as well as upgrade the quality of infrastructures, such as roads and ports, that support the economy.
Furthermore, it is necessary to enhance the quality of basic infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and clean water, and improve access to information and communication technology.
It is also important to realize community participation in the development process by enhancing community capacity to manage existing natural resources.
"By implementing these strategies, we can improve the HDI in Highland Papua and enhance public life quality," Wanggai said.
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Translator: Yudhi, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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