FEATURE
Freeport’s Medical Director. “We recognize the importance of balancing our operational needs with those of the communities in which we operate”, he explains. “So we want to work in partnership with local stakeholders to improve public health across Timika for the long term.”
Changing focus
Building sustainable health structures for a regency the size of Belgium is a complex process requiring huge energy and commitment. Specialist resources are also needed – both in terms of local knowledge and expertise and the strategic management of complex health issues. So in response, Freeport Indonesia asked International SOS to manage its public health program and deliver healthcare services on its behalf. As a result, health facilities could be expanded quickly to meet the needs of Timika’s growing population. “Fifteen years ago we were the primary source of healthcare – not just for employees but also for the communities near and around the mine”, explains Arief Latif, Vice President – Social and Local Development at Freeport. But a reliance on the company wasn’t sustainable, not least because the mine has a finite lifespan. So the focus now is on working in partnership with other agencies to achieve their long-term public health aims. “We’re working together to ensure that by the time we finish our mining activities, there are self-sustaining public health services in place that can stand alone without financial subsidies or support from Freeport Indonesia”, says Dr Bethea.
Building capacity Funded by Freeport Indonesia, International SOS delivers a range of health programs while building the capacity of local partners to deliver the services longer-term. Partners include the local department for health and the development foundation for the Amungme and Kamoro (which meets the needs of the seven indigenous tribes of the region), together with the National AIDS commission (KPAD). “One of the extraordinary things about this project is the comprehensive range of diseases we tackle in an integrated way”, says Dr Jerry Strohkorb, International SOS’ Public Health Technical Advisor to Freeport. Programs include clean water and sanitation, malaria control, as well as programs focusing on tuberculosis, mother-and-child health, and the treatment and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In each case International SOS teams work closely with the partner agencies to design and deliver the programs – and
transfer ownership over time. Freeport Indonesia funds and, through International SOS, runs a tuberculosis clinic and an HIV clinic, as well as two hospitals and five community clinics – all of which are being gradually devolved to local partners. “Through these structures we deliver services to the community, dispensing free medicines provided by the government”, explains Dr Strohkorb. Healthcare services are being decentralized to the public hospital and a charity-funded private hospital as well as 30 Puskesmas (government-run community health centers) in collaboration with Freeport Indonesia. “What’s critical is raising people’s awareness so that they understand how and why they need to maintain a healthy way of life”, Arief Latif explains. “We want to reduce the burden of these preventable diseases by making quality healthcare accessible while building the capacity of local people.”
Fighting tuberculosis
Dr Neri points out that corporate investment can have a greater impact if it is made in collaboration with other agencies. One example is the tuberculosis program which is achieving rates of cure of above 90% (compared to the WHO ideal standard of 85%).
“ One of the Dr Jerry Strohkorb ”
extraordinary things about this project is the comprehensive range of diseases we tackle
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