MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra provincial government is advancing the transformation of 21 inpatient Puskesmas (community health centers) across 17 regencies. The aim is to enable the facilities to provide more comprehensive healthcare services, including specialized medical care. The program is not limited to the construction and improvement of infrastructure, but also covers workforce strengthening, the provision of medical equipment, administrative improvements, referral systems, and the development of networks to support specialist medical services.
Acting Provincial Secretary of North Sumatra, Sulaiman Harahap, said the provincial government was continuing to intensify preparations to ensure that the "Transformation of Inpatient Puskesmas Plus Specialized Health Services,
Sumut Berkah 2026" program is implemented in line with its objectives.
Sulaiman made the statement on Thursday, August 13, 2026, while opening a coordination meeting to prepare for the signing of a joint commitment agreement between the Governor of North Sumatra and the heads of the regencies participating in the program. The meeting was held in the Provincial Secretary's meeting room at the North Sumatra Governor's Office on Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro No. 31, Medan.
Preparations Underway Since Early 2026
Sulaiman said the North Sumatra provincial government had carried out various preparatory measures since the beginning of 2026. These included data collection and mapping, coordination with regency governments, the submission of project proposals and Statements of Absolute Responsibility (SPTJM) signed by the regency heads, data verification, field inspections, and the designation of 21 Puskesmas in 17 regencies as program locations.
Following the designation of the locations, the government continued preparations by developing construction designs and technical plans. These steps are crucial to ensure that each Puskesmas is properly prepared to meet the requirements of the healthcare services that will be expanded in the future.
Sulaiman stressed that before the signing of the Joint Commitment Agreement (SPKB), all parties must have a clear understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities.
"The SPKB was formulated as a mutual commitment between the Governor of North Sumatra and the heads of the regencies where the program is being implemented. It does not replace the SPTJM, but reinforces the responsibility of the regencies and the province's support so that the results of the construction work can be put into operation, maintained and managed sustainably," he said.
The coordination meeting was held online and involved representatives from the 17 regions designated as locations for the "Transformation of Inpatient Puskesmas Plus Specialized Health Services, Sumut Berkah 2026" program.
COMMITMENT TO ASSET MANAGEMENT: Acting Provincial Secretary of North Sumatra Sulaiman Harahap emphasized the importance of regency governments' commitment to managing assets, healthcare services and personnel, as well as ensuring funding, maintenance and the sustainable operation of Puskesmas. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Regency Governments Urged to Prepare Assets and Personnel
During the meeting, Sulaiman called on the regency governments to immediately finalize several matters related to program implementation. Ahead of the SPKB signing, he highlighted five key aspects requiring particular attention.
First, regional governments must establish a common understanding of the legal and organizational status of the SPKB and its relationship to the SPTJM signed by the regency heads. A unified understanding is essential to prevent differences in interpretation regarding the respective authorities and responsibilities of each party.
Second, regency governments must finalize their responsibilities concerning assets, healthcare services, personnel, specialist support, funding, maintenance, and the management of regional public service agencies (BLUD).
Third, the government must ensure proper asset management and continuity of healthcare services during construction. Maintaining medical services is crucial so that residents continue to have access to healthcare throughout the construction or renovation of the facilities.
In addition, regional governments must ensure the availability of specialist support, funding for ongoing operations, facility maintenance, and BLUD management. The North Sumatra provincial government also called on all participating regions to fully prepare their administrative and technical requirements for the SPKB signing.
"This meeting is intended to finalize the contents of the SPKB and ensure administrative and technical readiness, as well as the subsequent steps, before it is signed by the Governor of North Sumatra and the 17 regency heads from the participating locations," he said.
A total of 17 regencies have been designated as program locations. They are Asahan, Dairi, Deli Serdang, Humbang Hasundutan, Karo, Labuhanbatu, South Labuhanbatu, Mandailing Natal, West Nias, North Nias, Padang Lawas, North Padang Lawas, Pakpak Bharat, Samosir, Serdang Bedagai, Central Tapanuli and North Tapanuli.
IMPROVING HEALTHCARE SERVICES: Head of the North Sumatra Health Office Faisal Hasrimi said the transformation of Puskesmas goes beyond infrastructure development to include personnel, administration, referral systems, telemedicine and specialized medical services. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Transformation Goes Beyond Facility Construction
Head of the North Sumatra Health Office, Faisal Hasrimi, said preparations for the signing of the SPKB were now nearly complete. He expected the Governor of North Sumatra and the heads of the participating regencies to sign the SPKB by the end of August 2026.
Faisal emphasized that the government had designed the program as a comprehensive transformation of healthcare services. Implementation, therefore, is not limited to constructing or renovating Puskesmas buildings.
According to him, the transformation includes strengthening infrastructure, providing medical equipment, upgrading personnel qualifications, improving healthcare administration, strengthening the referral system, utilizing telemedicine, and expanding networks to support specialist medical services.
Through these measures, the 21 inpatient Puskesmas in 17 regencies are expected to expand their healthcare capacities and provide communities in the regions with broader access to medical services. The availability of specialized services at the Puskesmas level is also expected to strengthen the link between primary healthcare and referral hospitals.
"Strengthening primary healthcare is an important foundation for regional development. This program was developed to increase the capacity of selected inpatient Puskesmas so that they can provide not only basic healthcare services, but also specialized medical care that is more closely integrated into the hospital referral system," he said in conclusion.
Through the
Sumut Berkah program, the North Sumatra provincial government and participating regency governments are seeking to establish a more integrated and sustainable healthcare system. The joint commitment between the provincial and regency governments is a key factor in ensuring that facility development, the provision of healthcare personnel and medical equipment, and the sustainable operation of Puskesmas are implemented consistently.
The program also positions Puskesmas as an important component in strengthening primary healthcare and is intended to shorten the distance between communities and services requiring further treatment. With appropriate facilities, qualified personnel, secure funding, efficient administration and a functioning referral network, the government hopes the transformation of the 21 Puskesmas will directly contribute to improving the quality of healthcare services across the 17 regencies of North Sumatra. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala