TIMIKA, Papua Tengah – Health officials in Mimika Regency are prioritizing infrastructure development and improvements to existing healthcare services in 2026, a move expected to significantly improve access to care for residents. These investments are particularly crucial as many existing facilities are aging and face challenges with land ownership.
A key component of the plan is the construction of the Perintis Puskesmas (community health center) in the Kartini Ujung area, which had been previously delayed. Development of the Wania Puskesmas will also be undertaken. The planned construction underscores a commitment to strengthening primary care access in the region.
“The construction of the Perintis Puskesmas is located in the Kartini Ujung area,” said Reynold Rizal Ubra, Head of the Mimika Regency Health Office, during an interview on Monday, March 2, 2026.
According to Ubra, the Perintis Puskesmas project is now ready to proceed as all planning documents are complete and land acquisition has been finalized by the local government. “The land has been cleared, so now it’s just a matter of construction and the planning documents are also ready,” he explained.
The Perintis Puskesmas construction is budgeted at approximately Rp34 billion (roughly $2.18 million USD), while the Wania Puskesmas development will receive Rp1 billion (approximately $64,000 USD). All funding will come from the Mimika Regency Regional Budget.
Ubra emphasized that this investment reflects strong support from the Regional Budget Team (TAPD), local leaders, and the legislative body for prioritizing mandatory health spending. “If we gaze at the past five years, the increase in the health sector budget has been exceptionally significant,” he stated. “This policy demonstrates the extraordinary commitment of stakeholders to ensure the community has maximum access to health services.”
