NIAS BARAT | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government plans to upgrade 20 community health centers (Puskesmas) into inpatient healthcare facilities in 2026. The Mandrehe Health Center (Puskesmas Mandrehe) in West Nias Regency is among the priority facilities selected for the program due to its important role in providing medical services to around 23,000 residents across 20 villages.
North Sumatra Governor
Bobby Nasution announced the plan during his direct visit to
Puskesmas Mandrehe,
West Nias Regency, on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Bobby explained that the strengthening of primary healthcare services is based on proposals submitted by regency and municipal governments, while also taking into account the healthcare needs of communities in each region.
"In this year's program, we will improve 20 Puskesmas based on proposals from mayors and regents. The Regent of
West Nias proposed this Puskesmas, and hopefully this improvement can meet the healthcare needs of the community," Bobby said.
HEALTHCARE EXPANSION PLAN ANNOUNCED: Governor Bobby Nasution explains the plan to upgrade Puskesmas Mandrehe into a 10-bed inpatient facility equipped with maternity services. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
Expanding Healthcare Access Across the Nias Islands
According to Bobby, Puskesmas Mandrehe was selected due to its strategic location and its central role in serving residents from 20 villages. In addition, the distance to the regional hospital, which is approximately 60 kilometers away, has increased the need to strengthen healthcare capacity at the local level.
"This Puskesmas is indeed very close to the community because it serves 20 villages with 23,000 residents, while the distance to the hospital is around 60 kilometers," he explained.
Bobby emphasized that the construction of a regional hospital on the Nias Islands by President Prabowo represents an important step in strengthening the healthcare system in the island region. The North Sumatra Provincial Government is continuing this effort by expanding Puskesmas capacities so residents can receive medical treatment closer to their homes.
He stated that people living in island areas often face challenges in accessing
healthcare services due to the long distance to hospitals. Therefore, strengthening primary healthcare facilities is an important solution to ensure patients do not need to be referred to hospitals for every medical condition.
"The President has already built a regional hospital here, and that is a very good step. We at the provincial government understand this as part of the President's healthcare program. That is why we are improving Puskesmas facilities so that not everyone has to go to the hospital, because one of the biggest challenges is access," Bobby said.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government will transform
Puskesmas Mandrehe into an inpatient healthcare facility with a capacity of 10 beds. The development will include treatment rooms, maternity services, additional medical personnel, and supporting healthcare equipment.
The upgrade is expected to accelerate healthcare services for residents of West Nias, particularly those who have previously experienced difficulties accessing advanced medical services due to geographical distances.
Puskesmas Mandrehe to Provide 10 Inpatient Beds
Bobby stated that the current facilities at Puskesmas Mandrehe remain limited. At present, the health center only has two beds and inadequate supporting equipment.
Through the improvement program, the provincial government aims to increase the facility's capacity so that
Puskesmas Mandrehe can provide inpatient services while also supporting maternal and child healthcare.
"We are improving the facilities so this health center can provide inpatient treatment in the future. Previously, it only had two beds and very limited equipment. We will expand it to 10 beds, provide maternity services, and also assign doctors," Bobby said.
In addition to infrastructure development, the North Sumatra Provincial Government is also strengthening the quality of healthcare workers. One of the initiatives is a scholarship program for specialist doctor education.
Bobby explained that improving the competence of medical personnel is essential to ensuring optimal healthcare services, particularly in regions facing a shortage of specialist doctors.
STRENGTHENING MEDICAL PERSONNEL: The North Sumatra Provincial Government strengthens healthcare workers through specialist doctor scholarships to improve medical services across the Nias Islands. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
Strengthening Medical Personnel Through Specialist Scholarships
The North Sumatra Provincial Government supports specialist doctor training through cooperation with Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).
The program is part of the government's strategy to improve the quality of healthcare personnel in various regions, including the Nias Islands.
"The provincial government's specialist doctor scholarship program at USU and UGM involved 16 participants last year, and this year five more participants have been added, specifically selected from the Nias Islands region. Therefore, we are working to improve both human resources and healthcare facilities," Bobby said.
Bobby added that the provincial government is also preparing measures to ensure healthcare services remain available while doctors undergo specialist training.
Through coordination with regency and municipal governments, doctors can be assigned according to local needs through a rotation system until the doctors completing their specialist education return to service.
The improvement of healthcare facilities and the strengthening of medical personnel are part of the North Sumatra Provincial Government's commitment to ensuring more equitable healthcare services. This effort is especially important for island regions such as West Nias, where geographical challenges continue to affect access to medical services. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Darmailawati | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala