April 17, 2026 | 05:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has announced the closure of access for Indonesian health workers, especially military health workers, to enter Papua.
The spokesperson for the TPNPB headquarters, Sebby Sambom, stated that they took this action because Indonesian health workers have worsened the medical treatment for the Papuan community.
"We urge the international Red Cross to be able to handle the injured Papuan civilians," said Sebby in a written statement on Friday, April 17, 2026.
According to him, the involvement of the international Red Cross in the armed conflict between the TPNPB militia and the TNI-Polri (police and military) soldiers will ensure comprehensive medical treatment for civilian victims.
He stated that several civilian victims treated by health workers from TNI-Polri have seen their health conditions deteriorate instead of improving.
"We warn Indonesian medical personnel to leave Papua immediately for their safety," said Sebby.
Referring to the Human Rights Monitor report, Sebby mentioned that there are currently more than 107,000 Papuans in refugee camps with relatively poor health conditions.
Therefore, He urged the International Red Cross to enter Papua and replace Indonesian health workers to provide services to injured civilians.
"We urge President Prabowo Subianto to immediately open access to the international Red Cross and humanitarian organizations to enter Papua," he added.
Chief of Information Center of the TNI Headquarters Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah has not responded to Tempo's inquiries regarding the TPNPB militia's statement about the withdrawal of health workers in Papua.
At the time of publishing this report, the message sent via WhatsApp only showed two grey checkmarks, indicating that it had been sent.
Read: Police Refute Shooting Allegations in Papua's Tolikara Clash
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