First Female Doctor from Amungme Tribe: Sephia Jangkup’s Trailblazing Journey
In a historic moment for the Amungme tribe in Indonesia’s Papua region, Sephia Chrisila Jangkup shattered barriers and made headlines as the first woman from her tribe to officially earn the title of doctor. The ceremony took place on January 10, 2025, at the Faculty of Medicine of the Christian University of Indonesia (UKI) in Jakarta, where Sephia and 44 other young doctors took their oath of profession.
Childhood Dream to Doctor
Sephia’s journey to becoming a doctor was not only a professional achievement but also a personal dream come true. Born on September 15, 2000, in Sukabumi, West Java, Sephia’s passion for medicine was evident from a young age. As a child, she played with toys resembling medical tools, a foreshadowing of her future in the field.
Her determination to pursue a career in medicine only grew stronger as she excelled academically, consistently ranking first in her class during her high school years. Even after completing her studies at UKI with an impressive GPA of 3.57, Sephia remained humble and grateful for the support she received along the way.
A Beacon of Hope and Inspiration
Reflecting on her journey, Sephia expressed hope that her success story would inspire other young talents from native Papuan tribes, especially the Amungme and Kamoro communities. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, hard work, and faith in achieving one’s goals, encouraging others to strive for excellence.
As she prepares to embark on a one-year internship program to acquire her registration certificate, Sephia remains committed to serving her community in Mimika. With a shortage of doctors in the region, she sees it as her responsibility to give back and make a difference in the lives of the Amungme and Kamoro people.
PTFI’s Pivotal Role in Supporting Native Papuan Talents
Through the support of the Amungme and Kamoro Community Development Foundation (YPMAK) and PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), Sephia was able to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. The scholarship programs provided by these organizations played a crucial role in her academic journey and paved the way for her historic achievement.
PTFI Director Claus Wamafma praised Sephia’s success, highlighting the significance of her accomplishment in addressing the shortage of doctors in Papua. He emphasized the ongoing collaboration between PTFI, YPMAK, and other stakeholders to ensure that native Papuan talents have the opportunity to excel in the field of medicine and contribute to their communities.
As Sephia’s story continues to inspire and uplift, she stands as a beacon of hope for future generations of young indigenous doctors in Papua, carrying on the legacy of trailblazing pioneers like herself.
