Doctors in Papua need security guarantee: IDI

The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has appealed to security agencies and other related stakeholders, as well as community members, to guarantee the safety and security of the working paramedics across Papua Province.

Their safety and security is of dire importance to enable all paramedics, including doctors, to work optimally, Chairman of IDI-Papua Chapter, Dr. Donald Aronggear, told Antara in Jayapura on Thursday.

Commenting on the death of 53-year-old doctor, Soeko Marsetiyo, in Wamena's deadly rioting that broke out early this week, Aronggear said all the paramedics in Papua were grieving the death of doctor Soeko.

Due to Soeko's death, several doctors currently working at the Wamena public hospital had requested to leave the hospital, which was understandable because doctors are also humans who need a sense of security, he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Papua Health Office, Dr. Silvanus Sumule, said 24 paramedics, including an orthopedic specialist, an anesthesia specialist, and a surgeon, had been deployed to assist their colleagues at the Wamena public hospital.

The hospital was in dire need of medical doctors after its 10 doctors who were scared of and traumatized by the impact of the deadly rioting applied for an emergency evacuation to Jayapura, Sumule said.

Five other doctors working at the Wamena public hospital had even left the capital city of Jayawijaya District for Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province.  

"We cannot stop the doctors because they are scared of and traumatized by the chaotic situation," Silvanus Sumule said, adding that the death of their colleague, doctor Soeko Marsetiyo, who was assaulted by the rioters, had made them more anxious.

Wamena's deadly rioting occurred during a rally that native Papuan students staged on September 23.

Thirty people, including a medical doctor, were killed, while at least 77 others sustained injuries due to the riot that had also forced several thousands of residents, mostly non-native Papuans, to take refuge.

According to National Police Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo, the masterminds of this deadly riot are allegedly members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).

Among the dead and the wounded were non-native Papuans who had been assaulted by rioters brandishing machetes and arrows.

On the day the violent rally took place, Commander of the 1702/Jayawijaya District Military Command, Lt. Col. Candra Dianto, said a gun battle between the Indonesian security personnel and a group of armed separatists also occurred around the Pasar Baru area.

The armed rebels might have used three guns and rifles. Presently, 1,300 military and police personnel are stationed in Jayawijaya District.

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