TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health said the local administration is the most responsible for the death of 72 people due to measles and malnutrition in Asmat, Papua.

Director General of Public Health Anung Sugihantono said there was inaction in informing the case that occurred in last September.

According to him, it occurred because the vaccination program did not reach all residents. In fact, the Ministry of Health has sent the vaccine to the Provincial Health Office.

Asmat Regent, Elisa Kambu, actually blamed the residents. There is an access problem of the distant health centers. But they have no awareness to visit.

In early February, they claimed the health workers never came. Victor Paya, Kelapa Kampung As, Pulau Tiga District, said the vaccination was just done after the government established the extraordinary event. Until February 4, 17,337 children have been vaccinated.

The health center in Kampung As and Atat, Pulau Tiga District were empty. There was only one patient. According to Victor, the staff escaped for no apparent reason. “It's been a year since the staff left, Victor said.

Regent Elisa Kambu admits the residents’ behavior who often blamed the staff when there is a severe illness causes them to escape.

She said that the biscuits from the Ministry of Health's aid were only received after the extraordinary event.

Health problems not only occurred in Asmat. Tempo Investigation Team found that health services in Papua are still poor. The mortality rate of patients in hospitals became the highest in Indonesia.

ERWAN HERNAWAN TNR