JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government has begun strengthening the independence of human resources in the health sector by preparing a specialist medical education program within the region. The initial step is the launch of an anesthesiologist specialist education program, scheduled for February 27, 2026.
The Deputy Governor of Papua, Aryoko Rumaropen, stated that the development of specialist education is part of the regional government’s long-term strategy to improve the quality of healthcare services while reducing dependence on medical personnel from outside Papua.
According to Aryoko, Jayapura’s Dok II Hospital remains positioned as a primary teaching hospital and will be directed to open postgraduate programs, starting with anesthesiology specialists. The program will be launched directly by the Governor of Papua and the Rector of Cenderawasih University.
“We are preparing Dok II Hospital as a specialist education center. This is part of the collaboration between the Papua Provincial Government and the Faculty of Medicine at Cenderawasih University,” he said in Jayapura on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).
Meanwhile, Abepura Hospital will focus on being a teaching hospital for the medical professional program, or internship. This division of roles is expected to make the medical education system in Papua more focused and hierarchical.
The Deputy Governor emphasized that developing specialist doctors from Papuan sons and daughters is a strategic necessity. In addition to ensuring the sustainability of health services, this step also strengthens a sense of ownership and responsibility for medical services in their own region.
“Those who will help the Papuan people are Papuans themselves. Therefore, our children must be prepared to become doctors and specialists,” he said.
He added that the specialist anesthesia program serves as a gateway before the gradual development of other specialist programs. The Papua Provincial Government hopes for full support from academics, healthcare workers, and all stakeholders so that the development of specialist medical education in Papua can continue.
