Thursday, 03 September 2026
GUNUNGSITOLI | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution has reaffirmed his commitment to improving access to higher education in the health sector for young people from the Nias Islands. The North Sumatra Provincial Government is preparing a scholarship program for students at the Ministry of Health's Health Polytechnic (Poltekkes Kementerian Kesehatan) in Gunungsitoli who are facing difficulties financing their education.
Bobby Nasution made the statement during his visit to the Ministry of Health's Health Polytechnic in Gunungsitoli on Sunday, August 9, 2026. During the visit, he found that financial difficulties were among the biggest obstacles preventing students from continuing their education.
According to the data collected, Poltekkes Gunungsitoli enrolled 66 students in the first semester. However, only 23 students are currently attending classes actively. The remaining 43 students have been unable to continue their studies because of financial difficulties.
The situation has become a major concern for the regional government. Beyond the issue of enabling young people to complete their education, the long-term availability of medical and healthcare professionals on the Nias Islands is also at stake.
Bobby Nasution believes the government must find solutions to ensure that students who have already been admitted to Poltekkes do not have to abandon their education solely for economic reasons. In his view, the availability of locally trained healthcare professionals is essential to maintaining healthcare services for communities across the Nias Islands.
"This is a problem, both in terms of healthcare professionals on the Nias Islands and ensuring that our children have access to employment opportunities," Bobby Nasution said.
He explained that the regional government would coordinate the planned scholarship distribution with existing allocations for educational assistance. The North Sumatra Provincial Government will also work with the relevant authorities to ensure that more students from the Nias Islands have the opportunity to successfully complete their education.
According to Bobby, the Ministry of Health has already allocated a scholarship quota of 20 percent for students at Poltekkes Medan. The North Sumatra Provincial Government is now seeking to expand the scope of this assistance so that students at Poltekkes in the Nias Islands region can also receive greater financial support for their education.
"As a regional government responsible for our people, we must provide the necessary opportunities so that the community can benefit from the programs offered by this ministry, namely Poltekkes. Earlier, our target was 50 percent. Hopefully, we can make this percentage possible through scholarships," Bobby said.
The target is part of the regional government's efforts to expand access to higher education, particularly in the health sector. Bobby hopes financial assistance will prevent students from dropping out prematurely while also creating better opportunities for young people from the Nias Islands to work in the healthcare sector.
The cost of education affects not only individual students. If large numbers of students are forced to discontinue their studies, the region's long-term need for healthcare professionals could also become a serious challenge.
For this reason, the regional government views educational assistance as a strategic step toward ensuring the development of future healthcare professionals. Students from the Nias Islands will also have the opportunity to return to their home region after completing their education and contribute to improving local healthcare services.
The initiative also underscores the importance of cooperation between regional and central governments in ensuring more equitable access to education. Through scholarship assistance, students who demonstrate strong academic performance but face financial constraints can be given the opportunity to complete their studies.
For students, the certainty of financial assistance can also provide greater security throughout their education. They will no longer have to face the difficult choice between continuing their studies and helping support their families financially.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government hopes the planned expansion of the scholarship program can be implemented in line with its objectives. The initiative is expected to increase the number of students able to continue their education through graduation while gradually meeting the need for healthcare professionals across the Nias Islands.
Bobby Nasution's attention to students facing financial difficulties has been positively received by students at Poltekkes. One of them is Destin Murni Laoli, a third-year student who had to temporarily suspend her studies because of difficulties paying her educational expenses.
Destin expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to meet the North Sumatra governor in person and receive assistance with her tuition fees. She hopes the scholarship support will help her refocus on her studies and continue her education through graduation.
Destin is the eldest of three siblings. Her family's financial situation has become even more difficult because her mother is currently ill. As a result, the cost of her education has placed a significant financial burden on the family.
For Destin, the government's attention has brought new hope that she can resume her education. She also expressed her appreciation for the support provided by Bobby Nasution.
"I was very happy to meet Mr. Bobby. He has helped me a great deal with financing my tuition fees. I am very happy. Thank you very much, Mr. Bobby, for your support," Destin said, visibly moved.
Destin's story highlights the challenges faced by some students who seek to pursue higher education despite difficult economic circumstances within their families. The scholarship program is expected to provide students like Destin with a way forward so they do not lose their opportunity to pursue an education and build a better future.
The planned provision of scholarships to students at Poltekkes Gunungsitoli is also part of the North Sumatra Provincial Government's commitment to expanding educational opportunities for people across the Nias Islands. The regional government aims for financial assistance, through a support program developed jointly with the relevant authorities, to reach at least 50 percent of students.
Through this assistance, the government will not only help students complete their education but also lay the foundation for developing healthcare professionals from the region itself. A larger pool of healthcare professionals from the Nias Islands is expected to strengthen healthcare services while creating new employment opportunities for the younger generation in the region.
Bobby Nasution emphasized that the regional government would continue working to ensure that existing educational institutions can be utilized optimally by the community. Support for Poltekkes students is another expression of the government's commitment to education as well as to human resource development on the Nias Islands. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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