Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk Ensures Government Attention for Elderly Citizens
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Ribka Haluk stated that the central government will continue to ensure appropriate attention and services for elderly citizens (lansia), including through coordination with regional governments (pemda) for the provision of various facilities and services at social care facilities.
This was conveyed by Ribka during a working visit to the Jayapura Elderly Social Care Unit (UPTD Panti Sosial Lanjut Usia) or Tresna Werdha Nursing Home at Pos 7 Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, on Friday (13 March). During the visit, she engaged in dialogue with residents and observed conditions at the facility.
“I am grateful to meet directly with the elderly residents living here and to hear the various hopes they have expressed. The government certainly has a responsibility to ensure that elderly citizens receive appropriate attention and facilities,” said Ribka.
During the same occasion, Ribka also appreciated the management of the Jayapura Elderly Social Care Unit, which was commended for contributing to supporting government priority programmes.
“We express our appreciation to the staff and managers because several programmes being implemented here have supported Indonesia’s Presidential Eight-Point Agenda (Asta Cita), particularly in the field of free healthcare services and food security,” she stated.
One such programme is catfish farming developed within the facility. According to Ribka, this food security-supporting programme also provides productive activities for elderly residents.
“This catfish farming programme is excellent because in addition to supporting food security, it also provides positive activities for elderly residents living at the facility,” she said.
As a form of support for the programme, Ribka symbolically delivered catfish feed assistance. She also participated in releasing catfish fry into several farming ponds managed by the UPTD.
One facility resident, Dolfi Sembel, expressed gratitude for various improvements implemented by the facility’s new management.
“There have been many changes at this nursing home since the new management took over. Changes are happening gradually and we elderly residents are very grateful,” said Dolfi.
Meanwhile, a female elderly residents’ representative, Asnat Ohee, expressed hope that the residential buildings within the facility could soon be renovated so that residents could live more comfortably.
Responding to these aspirations, Ribka Haluk stated that all input provided would receive government attention. She emphasised that the government would continue to coordinate with the Papua Provincial Government (Pemprov) to seek the best solutions for improving facilities at the home.
“We will certainly coordinate with the Papua Provincial Government so that various needs expressed can become a shared priority, enabling elderly residents to live more comfortably and prosperously,” concluded Ribka.
In addition to demonstrating government attention to elderly citizens’ welfare, this working visit also aimed to encourage social care facilities to continue developing into safe, comfortable residences that provide positive activities for their residents.