LOTU – HUMAS USU: The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FK USU), and the North Nias Regency Government officially signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) as a follow-up to the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement was signed by the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Medicine USU, dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, PGDip PID FAAET, M.Ked (Ped), Sp.A, Ph.D, and the Regent of North Nias, Amizaro Waruwu, at the front courtyard of Tafaeri Regional General Hospital (RSUD Tafaeri), Lolofaoso Village, Lotu District, North Nias Regency, on Monday (March 2, 2025) morning. This PKS serves as the legal framework for implementing various healthcare service–based activities within the partnership between FK USU and the North Nias Regency Government.

On that occasion, Vice Dean III of FK USU, dr. Inke Nadia, emphasized USU’s commitment to supporting government programs, particularly those of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of North Sumatra Province in advancing healthcare services in underdeveloped and island areas, including Nias Island.

One form of this commitment, she explained, is prioritizing native local doctors who are committed to returning to serve in Nias to enroll in the Specialist Medical Education Program (PPDS) at FK USU, funded by the Government of North Sumatra Province. The program has been running for one year and has admitted seven native Nias doctors to date, four of whom are from North Nias, specializing in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, and Radiology. This initiative is expected to accelerate improved access to specialist healthcare services in North Nias Regency.

In addition, to support specialist services at Tafaeri Regional Hospital, the Faculty of Medicine USU has deployed final-stage resident doctors to serve at the hospital in the fields of Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, and Clinical Pathology.

“The success of strengthening these services certainly requires policy support from the North Nias Regency Government, particularly regarding referral flow arrangements from community health centers so that patients are prioritized for referral to RSUD Tafaeri before being referred to other hospitals. This policy is considered important to optimize services and operations at RSUD Tafaeri, while also maximizing the contribution of resident doctors,” said dr. Inke.

In his remarks, the Regent of North Nias, Amizaro Waruwu, expressed his gratitude and warmly welcomed the cooperation with USU to serve and bring benefits to the people of North Nias. He especially appreciated the Faculty of Medicine USU for directing its programs and activities toward underdeveloped regions such as North Nias.

“The population of North Nias Regency is relatively small, with 11 community health centers in addition to the regional hospital. We will facilitate all activities carried out by USU here to ensure they run well and smoothly. It must be remembered that serving in an underdeveloped area is certainly different from serving in a major city like Medan. However, the blessings of serving in underdeveloped regions are even greater. We will continue to improve infrastructure in this area, particularly to enhance access to healthcare services such as at RSUD Tafaeri. These infrastructure improvements are supported by the North Sumatra Provincial Government, and we ensure that by approximately June, the road infrastructure will be in good condition,” the Regent emphasized.

North Nias has also submitted a request for the completion of medical equipment needs at RSUD Tafaeri, all of which have been approved by the Ministry of Health and will soon be delivered to improve healthcare services for the community.

“We hope that our colleagues from USU can serve as guides and mentors in developing the healthcare sector in North Nias Regency. We will become stronger if we collaborate and contribute together. If there are shortcomings, that reflects our local context. We believe that if the USU team—both specialists and community service teams—encounters issues that need resolution, please communicate directly with us rather than through other parties. Inform us so that we can seek solutions. Through the Health Office, the North Nias Regency Government warmly welcomes this cooperation and is ready to support all related activities,” the Regent added.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the North Nias Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), Yaaman Telaumbanua, SE, MM, on behalf of the people of North Nias, also expressed gratitude to USU and the North Sumatra Provincial Government for the presence of four specialist doctors who will strengthen healthcare services in the region.

“The regional hospital already has specialist doctors, so we hope the community can receive proper healthcare services. Hopefully, there will be no more North Nias residents facing death due to untreated illnesses,” he stated.

Following the signing of the PKS, the Regent of North Nias and his delegation, along with the USU team, continued with an inspection of the conditions and facilities at RSUD Tafaeri, where construction of an additional building behind the main structure is currently underway. On the same day, FK USU, together with RSUD Tafaeri and the North Nias Regency Health Office, conducted community service activities including ultrasound (USG) examinations for pregnant women, gallstone screenings, laboratory examinations for residents, and emergency response training for healthcare workers at RSUD Tafaeri. The activities were enthusiastically received by the community, who filled the available service areas.

Also present at the event were the Vice Regent of North Nias, Yusman Zega, A.Pi, M.Si; the Regional Secretary of North Nias, Bazatulo Zebua; heads of regional agencies across North Nias Regency; the Director of RSUD Tafaeri, dr. Warisman Lahagu, M.Kes, and his staff; the Head of BPJS Kesehatan Gunungsitoli; the Head of Bank Sumut Lotu; and local community leaders.

Accompanying the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Medicine from the USU team were the Dean’s Expert Staff of FK USU, Dr. rer. medic dr. M. Ichwan, M.Sc, Sp.KKLP, Subsp. FOMC; Head of the Internal Medicine Study Program, Dr. dr. Taufik Sungkar, M.Ked (PD), Sp.PD, Subsp. GEH (K); Head of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Study Program, dr. Andriamuri Primaputra Lubis, M.Ked (An), SpAn-TI, Subsp TI (K); Secretary of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Study Program, dr. Iman Helmi Effendi, M.Ked (OG), Sp.OG (K); and resident doctors (PPDS). (RJ)