VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 2 - Indonesian soldiers stationed at Skamto security post, which is located near the border with Papua New Guinea, provided mobile health services in Yowong village, Arso Barat sub-district, Keerom district, Papua province on Sunday.

Personnel from the Indonesia-PNG Border Security Task Force visited villagers' homes and provided treatment to those in need of medical services, the task force's commanding officer, Major Anggun Wuriyanto, said in a statement issued here on Monday.

The soldiers who took part in the community service belonged to the Mechanic Raider 413/Bremoro Infantry Battalion of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Konstrad).

The mobile health services, which were provided several days prior to the end of their deployment at the Skamto security post, were part of borderless community services for villagers, Wuriyanto said.

"We continue doing our best to serve the residents in our endeavor to make Papua healthy and prosperous," he added.

The healthcare services were not only offered to native Papuans in Keerom, but also in other areas.

Last week, several personnel from the 756/WMS Infantry Battalion's security task force had offered mobile health services to residents of Beanekogom village, Tembagapura sub-district, Mimika district.

According to the task force's commander, Major Marolop Edison Bala Hutapea, such health services are being provided routinely as part of the task force's community services to ensure that locals remain in good health.

"The TNI (the Indonesian Military) is mindful of the difficulties faced by the residents," he remarked, adding that he has constantly reminded soldiers stationed at all security posts to maintain an emotional connect with locals.

Sincerity in conducting community services and tending to the needs of local communities would make the TNI security posts useful to them, according to Hutapea.

Tsinga security post's commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Riyanto, who led the provision of mobile health services in Beanekogom village, revealed that the task force's medical team tended to villagers ailing from minor illnesses and looking for medical consultation.

A villager, Abdon Nenotek, expressed his gratitude to the task force and commended the members for offering the mobile health services to him and other villagers and for edifying them on ways to lead a healthy life and maintain cleanliness in the village. (Antaranews)