UNAIR NEWS – World Health Day is celebrated every April 7th. In previous year, World Health Organization (WHO) decided to continue using Universal Health Coverage as the theme. Moreover, there are many people who don’t have an access to get proper health services out there.
Up to now, Indonesia government continues to strive in equalizing health services of outermost, remote and disadvantaged area (3T). One of the challenges that must be faced to achieve these goals are limited access and high cost to reach the area.
According to Dr. Rachmat Hargono, dr., M.S., M.PH, Head of Community Health Study Unit in Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), sending health workers and building a health services in 3T areas requires high costs. Since, the infrastructures are not ready, thus the access are become difficult and expensive.
“Although it takes a long time and costs a lot, infrastructure development is important to open remote areas in Indonesia so health services can be accessed by people.” explained the lecturer who was familiarly called Dr. Rachmat.
Infrastructure problems did not only hinder health workers from reaching the community. Thus, it also prevents the community from utilizing health services that have been built in their area.
Many cases were found in 3T area, one of the example is Papua. The community in there had to walk for miles to seek treatment at a health center or hospital. Not infrequently, some residents also went there by boat.
For that, Dr. Rachmat appreciates the government’s efforts in infrastructure development in eastern Indonesia, Papua. Although according to him, new infrastructure was built on the main roads.
Meanwhile, there were number of villages that pass through the main road access and many were also far from the main road. Thus, infrastructure development still needs to be done so that isolated regions can develop well in terms of health, education and economy.
Given that health cannot stand alone. To increase the degree of prosperity of the community must be followed by education and economics.
Dr. Rachmat hopes health facilities and infrastructure in the 3T area in the future can be fulfilled and easily accessed by the community. Even so, Dr. Rachmat also hopes that not only curative and rehabilitative health services are provided, but also promotive and preventive measures must also be sought.
“The direction of development is quite good. There have been efforts to reach remote areas. We also hope they can maintain their healthy lifestyle. “concluded Dr. Rachmat.
Author: Galuh Mega Kurnia
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
