Jakarta, July 23 -- Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has assured that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will cooperate with the Ministry of Health to build 14 hospitals in conflict areas, including Papua.

The collaboration was confirmed after Sjamsoeddin and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"This is intended to ensure the construction is safe and achieves its goals," he told the press.

The minister added that TNI officers will be deployed to support the building construction. Furthermore, the TNI will deploy its healthcare personnel to serve at the 14 hospitals.

During the construction, the TNI will also sen...