Aid Increases, Ministry of Health Distributes 11 Ambulances in Aceh Tamiang for Sumatra Recovery
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The Indonesian Ministry of Health has delivered 11 ambulances and six generators to Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, to aid post-flood recovery.
- This aid aims to strengthen patient referral services and support health facilities that were impacted by the November 2025 floods.
- The Ministry emphasizes the need for regional preparedness and efficient use of allocated funds, urging the formation of a disaster-ready rapid response team.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health, acting as part of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation Task Force (Satgas PRR), has once again extended crucial support to Aceh Tamiang. The recent delivery of 11 ambulances and six generators marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to restore health services in the region following the devastating floods of November 2025.
The disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have left various health problems, especially for the affected communities.
This vital assistance is designed to bolster patient referral services, particularly in areas still grappling with limited access and infrastructure. The provided equipment will directly address the challenges faced by health facilities that were severely impacted by the natural disaster. The Ministry's commitment underscores the critical role of accessible healthcare in the recovery process, ensuring that communities can receive necessary medical attention despite ongoing infrastructural limitations.
We witnessed how health workers continued to serve during the disaster, even when not paid by BPJS. We are at the forefront for that.
Agus Jamaluddin, Head of the Ministry's Health Crisis Center, highlighted the persistent health issues arising from the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. He commended the resilience of healthcare workers who continued to serve the community even amidst severe limitations and lack of payment from BPJS (the national health insurance program). The Ministry's presence on the ground, he stated, is a testament to their dedication to supporting these frontline workers and the affected populations.
Use the discretion of the technical guidelines, a letter of statement from the village is enough. Don't let the funds that have been prepared not be absorbed.
Jamaluddin also urged local health authorities in Aceh Tamiang to streamline administrative processes, such as handling lost identification documents of affected residents, to ensure the smooth absorption of allocated funds. He stressed the importance of forming a well-trained Rapid Response Team (TRC) or Emergency Medical Team to enhance disaster management capabilities. Crucially, he advised against frequent rotations of trained personnel to maintain sustained regional preparedness. The Ministry's support, he concluded, must be met with proactive regional efforts to optimize health services and improve the overall health of the populace, emphasizing a strong center-regional collaboration.
Don't let it be that when a disaster occurs, our management goes back to zero because the human resources are replaced. We must learn from the disasters that have passed.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.