West Papua Prepares 156 Healthcare Workers to Support National Pesparawi in Manokwari
The West Papua Provincial Government is preparing 156 healthcare workers to support the implementation of the 14th National Church Choir Festival (Pesparawi Nasional XIV) in Manokwari Regency, scheduled for 18-28 June 2026.
Alwan Rimosan, Head of the West Papua Health Office in Manokwari, stated on Monday that the local government is committed to optimising health services for all contingents and invited guests attending this national event. The deployed medical personnel include 24 doctors, 3ly nurses, 12 environmental health workers, pharmaceutical staff, and ambulance personnel.
The health service plan has been designed to ensure comprehensive medical care throughout the festival, spanning from participant accommodation to all competition and meeting venues. The healthcare system will prioritise 24-hour readiness, rapid emergency response, risk prevention, and continuity of service across all event locations.
He explained that every primary location will be equipped with health posts, on-duty doctors and nurses, pharmaceutical staff, environmental health officers, and standby ambulances for medical evacuations in case of emergencies. Mobile health teams will operate 24 hours a day to provide basic healthcare, minor examinations, and education regarding hygiene and food safety.
To support referral services, the West Papua Health Office has integrated several hospitals in Manokwari into the health evacuation system, including RSUP Papua Barat, RSAL dr Azhar Zahir, and RS Bhayangkara. The government is also strengthening environmental health monitoring for all hotels and lodgings used by the contingents, including inspections of clean water quality, sanitation, food safety, waste management, and disease vector control.
The health plan accommodates mitigation measures for various potential health risks, such as heart attacks, strokes, dehydration, food poisoning, competition-related injuries, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, and emergencies involving VIP guests. Additionally, evacuation routes and fire safety measures will be inspected.
All healthcare services during the event will be managed through the West Papua Provincial Health Command Post, which is linked to referral hospitals, community health centres (Puskesmas), ambulances, and health teams at every venue and accommodation site.
According to committee data, the number of participants is expected to reach approximately 6,086, consisting of 4,932 competitors and 1,154 officials, coaches, and accompanying staff, alongside approximately 217 VIP guests. “The safety and health of the participants are the top priorities in the organisation of the 14th National Pesparawi in West Papua,” Alwan added.