Timika – The Papua Tengah Provincial Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving public welfare, including by expanding access to free healthcare services and legal protection for inmates at Class II Correctional Facility (Lapas) in Timika.
Governor of Papua Tengah, Meki Fritz Nawipa, during his official visit to the Class II Timika Prison on Thursday (date of visit), emphasized that all inmates will be registered under the National Health Insurance program (BPJS Kesehatan). This initiative is part of the free healthcare program, which is currently a top priority for the provincial government.
All residents of Papua Tengah, including prison inmates, are eligible for the free BPJS program. Nawipa urged the Head of the Correctional Facility to promptly collect and submit identification documents, such as ID cards (KTP), from the inmates to facilitate the registration process.
According to Nawipa, access to healthcare and legal assistance is a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence in protecting all its citizens, including those undergoing legal proceedings. Therefore, the Papua Tengah Provincial Government will also provide a dedicated ambulance unit to support medical needs within the prison.
In addition to health insurance, Nawipa announced the plan to establish a legal aid institution tasked with offering legal assistance from the onset of the judicial process. “This step is not meant to obstruct justice, but to ensure that every citizen receives fair legal support,” he stated.
Acting Head of the Class II Timika Correctional Facility, Mahri Kawai, expressed his appreciation for the attention shown by the Governor and Deputy Governor of Papua Tengah to the 306 inmates, most of whom are serving sentences for drug-related offenses. Meanwhile, Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob affirmed his commitment to building a clinic within the prison compound. “Although correctional facilities are under central government authority, the inmates are still Mimika residents and thus our responsibility as well,” he stressed.
Although the exact date for implementation has not been specified, the BPJS registration process is expected to begin as soon as all required ID documents have been collected. The provision of an ambulance and the establishment of the legal aid institution are part of the Papua Tengah Provincial Government’s upcoming work agenda.
Through these initiatives, the Papua Tengah Provincial Government underscores that its commitment to basic human rights extends beyond prison walls, reaching even those currently undergoing rehabilitation.
