Deputy Home Affairs Minister: Public Health is the Foundation of Regional Development
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Akhmad Wiyagus stated that public health is the foundation for the smooth running and success of regional development. “We know that health is the foundation that determines the success of development in a government, whether at the provincial or district/city level,” Wiyagus said in a statement in Jakarta, Monday. He made the remarks while attending a social service event featuring free medical treatment and blood donation organised by the Papua Provincial Government at the Sasana Krida Building, Papua Governor’s Office, Jayapura, Monday. The activity was part of the 2026 Regional High-Achieving Government Appreciation event for the Papua Region. In his speech, Wiyagus assessed the activity as a concrete step by the regional government to improve access to healthcare services for the community while strengthening humanitarian values and social solidarity. “We from the Ministry of Home Affairs give the highest appreciation to the Papua Provincial Government for facilitating this activity,” he said. He explained that human resource development is one of the key focuses in the national development agenda. Therefore, efforts to improve the quality of public health need to be continuously strengthened through various programmes and activities that provide direct benefits to citizens. Wiyagus also expressed appreciation to the medical personnel, health workers, and all parties involved in the activity. He also thanked the community members who utilised the free medical services and the blood donors who participated. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of blood donation as a form of humanitarian contribution that provides great benefits to others. According to him, the availability of blood stocks in hospitals is partly supported by community participation in blood donation drives. “We know that a single drop of blood is very meaningful for someone’s life,” he said.