Riau Islands Endorse Palestinian Refugee Hospital Plan

Galang Island Facility Readied for War-Injured

The Riau Islands administration has pledged full backing for the central government’s initiative to establish a medical facility for injured Palestinian refugees on Galang Island.

Regional Support for Humanitarian Mission

Deputy Governor **Nyanyang Haris Pratamura** affirmed the province’s “welcome” for the plan, introduced by President **Prabowo Subianto**. Preparations are set to commence for the facility on the 80-square-kilometer island.

“This is a central government program, and of course we must support it. We hope that through this effort, we can strengthen ties between Indonesia and Palestine,” **Nyanyang** stated on August 8.

The deputy governor, a member of **Prabowo**’s Gerindra Party, conveyed the provincial government’s readiness to assist the national administration proactively.

Galang Island Infrastructure Mobilized

The Riau Islands Health Agency will reportedly reactivate and prepare the existing COVID-19 isolation hospital on Galang Island. This facility is designated for the temporary treatment of Palestinians wounded in the ongoing conflict.

**Nyanyang** assured that the humanitarian effort would not disrupt the investment climate in Batam, emphasizing its apolitical and non-commercial nature.

Global Health Challenges

The initiative comes as global humanitarian organizations grapple with the immense medical needs arising from conflict zones. For example, the World Health Organization reported over 10,000 medical personnel deployed to conflict-affected regions in 2023 to address critical health emergencies (WHO, 2023).