UNAIR NEWS – As the largest archipelagic country, Indonesia is required to continuously make efforts towards equal development, especially in primary aspects such as Health. Archipelagic areas are often left behind compared to areas situated on one island. Efforts to develop and give equal access to the outermost islands continue to be pursued by the government, especially the government of East Java.
It was conveyed by the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa when sending Ksatria Airlangga Floating Hospital (RSTKA) off on a humanitarian mission. The send-off ceremony, entitled Community Development of Healthcare Services, also presented the Rector of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), represented by the Dean of Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) UNAIR Prof Amin Alamsjah. It was held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Kalimas Port, Surabaya.
“We are trying to build public transportation that honors them more (citizens on the outer islands, ed ),” said Khofifah.
She also added that connectivity between regions is the main key. According to her, when it is connected, in this case, with adequate public transportation, development and other equal access to health, literacy, and education will be achieved more easily.
“By building the anchor port from Situbondo to various islands in Sumenep with good port facilities, then there is also a movable bridge and a new air-conditioned ferry,” she said when explaining efforts to improve connectivity the outer islands.
On that occasion, Khofifah said, the humanitarian mission of RSTKA was a noble activity carried out with the cooperation of all parties from various disciplines at UNAIR. She also hopes that these noble activities and intentions will lead to equal welfare of the community in various aspects.
“Therefore, what has been done by RST Ksatria Airlangga is a humanitarian mission, which of course, can provide health, education, and economic services to various islands in Madura. Of course, we hope that it can provide an even distribution of welfare for the people of the islands,” she added
RSTKA’s voyage this time is the 63rd humanitarian mission which will take place from May 14 to July 10, 2022. On this cruise, RSTKA will visit Gili Raja Island, Gili Genting, Gili Iyang, Sapudi, Raas, Sapeken, Sepanjang, Sakala, Pagerungan Besar, to Pagerungan Kecil with 21 doctors, health workers, and several volunteers. (*)
Author: Afrizal Naufal Ghani
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
