North Sumatra Accelerates Equitable Development in Remote Areas
The North Sumatra provincial government is intensifying its efforts to foster equitable development and improve public services in underdeveloped, remote, and isolated (3T) regions, including the Nias Islands.
This initiative is being pursued by accelerating infrastructure development and strengthening healthcare, education, and public services.
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This commitment was conveyed by Basarin Yunus Tanjung, Assistant for Government and Public Welfare at the North Sumatra Provincial Secretariat, during an interactive dialogue marking the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence, held at the TVRI North Sumatra studio on Jalan Putri Hijau in Medan.
Basarin stated that the North Sumatra provincial government continues to drive various breakthroughs and innovations to accelerate development in the 3T regions. The Nias Islands, he noted, are among the areas receiving special attention from the Governor of North Sumatra.
“The 3T regions in North Sumatra, particularly the Nias Islands, are a key priority for the Governor of North Sumatra. We are actively engaged there through various groundbreaking projects and innovations to develop the region,” said Basarin.
According to Basarin, the North Sumatra provincial government is implementing various strategic programs, taking into account available budget resources and priorities. Development in the health, education, social services, and infrastructure sectors is crucial for improving general well-being.
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In the healthcare sector, the free healthcare program is being further promoted to reach communities in the island region. In addition, community health centers (*Puskesmas*) in West Nias and North Nias are being strengthened, including through the expansion of clinical care services.
“This year, the North Sumatra provincial government is focusing on addressing development gaps in the Nias Islands, particularly regarding roads, school buildings, and healthcare,” he said.
Hatta Ridho, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the University of North Sumatra (USU), stated that a government presence in 3T regions (frontier, outermost, and remote areas) is crucial for creating economic opportunities and improving general well-being.
He explained that equitable development is expected to provide communities with opportunities to develop within their own regions. This could help reduce the likelihood of mass migration to urban areas.
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Hatta hopes that the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence will serve as a reminder that independence must be realized through a tangible government presence within the community.
“Equitable development and easily accessible public services must be part of the efforts to achieve prosperity and social justice for all residents of North Sumatra,” he said. ***rel
Sumatera Utara Percepat Pemerataan Pembangunan hingga Wilayah Terluar
Pemerintah Provinsi (Pemprov) Sumatera Utara (Sumut) memperkuat komitmen pemerataan pembangunan dan peningkatan pelayanan publik hingga ke wilayah tertinggal, terdepan, dan terluar (3T), termasuk Kepulauan Nias.
Langkah ini diwujudkan melalui percepatan pembangunan infrastruktur serta penguatan layanan kesehatan, pendidikan, dan pelayanan publik.
Komitmen tersebut disampaikan Asisten Pemerintahan dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat Setdaprov Sumut Basarin Yunus Tanjung dalam dialog interaktif memperingati HUT ke-81 Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia yang digelar di Studio TVRI Sumatera Utara, Jalan Putri Hijau, Medan.
Basarin mengatakan, Pemprov Sumut terus mendorong berbagai terobosan dan inovasi untuk mempercepat pembangunan di wilayah 3T. Kepulauan Nias, kata dia, menjadi salah satu wilayah yang mendapat perhatian khusus dari Gubernur Sumut.
“Daerah 3T di Sumut, khususnya Kepulauan Nias, menjadi atensi Bapak Gubernur Sumut. Kita hadir di sana dengan melakukan berbagai terobosan dan membawa inovasi untuk membangun daerah tersebut,” ujarnya.
Menurut Basarin, Pemprov Sumut menjalankan berbagai program strategis dengan mempertimbangkan kemampuan anggaran dan skala prioritas. Pembangunan di sektor kesehatan, pendidikan, pelayanan sosial, dan infrastruktur menjadi bagian penting dalam upaya meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat.
Di sektor kesehatan, program layanan kesehatan gratis terus didorong agar dapat menjangkau masyarakat di wilayah kepulauan. Selain itu, fasilitas Puskesmas di Nias Barat dan Nias Utara terus diperkuat, termasuk melalui peningkatan layanan rawat inap.
“Fokus yang dibawa Pemprov Sumut di Kepulauan Nias tahun ini adalah mengejar ketertinggalan, baik jalan, ruang sekolah maupun pelayanan kesehatan,” katanya.
Dekan Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) Hatta Ridho menilai kehadiran pemerintah di daerah 3T penting untuk membuka peluang ekonomi sekaligus meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat.
Menurutnya, pemerataan pembangunan diharapkan mampu memberikan kesempatan kepada masyarakat untuk berkembang di daerahnya sendiri. Dengan demikian, potensi migrasi secara besar-besaran ke wilayah perkotaan dapat ditekan.
Hatta berharap momentum HUT ke-81 Kemerdekaan RI menjadi pengingat bahwa kemerdekaan harus diwujudkan melalui kehadiran negara yang nyata di tengah masyarakat.
“Pemerataan pembangunan dan pelayanan publik yang mudah diakses diharapkan menjadi bagian dari upaya mewujudkan kesejahteraan dan keadilan sosial bagi seluruh masyarakat Sumut,” ucapnya. ***rel
