MIMIKA — Acting Regional Secretary (Pj Sekda) of Mimika, Petrus Yumte, emphasized that the regency government does not have the authority to build a psychiatric hospital, saying that such authority lies with the provincial government.
“The Mimika Regency Government can only provide treatment and support efforts. We do not have the authority to build a dedicated mental health hospital,” Yumte said in Mimika on Friday (4 July 2025).
He explained that so far the Mimika Government has acted as a facilitator in handling People with Mental Disorders (ODGJ), including offering support during treatment and referring patients to the psychiatric hospital in Jayapura City.
According to Yumte, the role of the family is also crucial in supporting the recovery process of ODGJ patients. “Families need to communicate with the Social Affairs Office and the Health Office, and should not isolate them. They are human beings and deserve emotional support,” he said.
Yumte added that several recovered ODGJ patients from outside Mimika had previously been sent back to their home regions, such as Merauke. He stressed that the Mimika Government is committed to continuing coordination with relevant agencies to provide the best services, especially in mental health care.
