Central Papua Health Office official Budiono said in Nabire that the special needs children’s service center reflects the government’s responsibility, working with social institutions, to ensure no child is left behind in accessing essential services.
“The presence of this service center shows the government’s commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with special needs, have the same rights to grow, learn and build their future,” Budiono said.
He said the opening of the therapy center would ease a long-standing burden on families, who previously had to travel outside Central Papua to seek specialized treatment and developmental support for their children.
Beyond therapy, Budiono said the center also functions as an educational space for parents, helping them understand appropriate parenting approaches while fostering an inclusive environment that respects differences in children’s abilities.
The provincial government, he added, would continue to support the development of inclusive health and education facilities as part of efforts to build a just, equal and dignified society in Central Papua.
Meanwhile, Maria Yeti, chairperson of the Matahari Difabel Center Nabire Foundation, said the center was established in response to limited access to free therapy services for children with disabilities in the area.
She said many children required regular therapy but were constrained by high costs and long distances, making consistent treatment difficult for families with limited resources.
To address the gap, the foundation has been bringing in therapists from other regions to provide free services while working with local authorities to ensure sustainability.
“We hope this service center becomes a place where children with special needs and their families can easily access health and therapy support,” Maria said.
“It should also give them hope, without forcing them to seek help outside the region,” she added.
Local authorities say the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen social inclusion, improve early intervention for children with disabilities and ensure equal opportunities for development throughout Central Papua.
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Translator: Ali Nur Ichsan, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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