Flores Quake: Surgeries Held in Emergency Tents, Health Minister Says

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin visited Ruteng Regional Hospital in East Nusa Tenggara on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to assess healthcare services following earthquake damage. The hospital's main building sustained damage, forcing medical staff to provide patient care, including crucial surgeries, in temporary emergency tents.

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If he doesn't have surgery, he could be disabled later in his recovery. He won't be able to play soccer anymore. He loves playing soccer and wants to play for the national team.

During his visit, the minister observed the treatment of earthquake victims, such as 12-year-old Yosef, who suffered a broken femur when a neighbor's house collapsed on him. Budi emphasized the urgency of surgery for Yosef to prevent permanent disability, noting the boy's passion for soccer and aspirations to play for the national team.

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We are grateful to our colleagues from the hospitals who have come to help. Personnel from Sardjito Hospital, Ben Mboi Hospital, Hasanuddin University, and Dr. Soetomo Hospital are specifically assisting at Ruteng Regional Hospital.

To address the ongoing need for surgical procedures, the Ministry of Health is establishing a field hospital at Golo Dukal Stadium in Manggarai Regency. This facility will include an operating room, ensuring that surgeries can proceed despite the damage to the main hospital building. A similar field hospital is also being prepared for Nagekeo Regional Hospital.

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Because the hospital is currently unsafe for use, we are building a field hospital. There, doctors will be able to perform surgeries effectively.

Beyond hospital services, the ministry plans to intensify the deployment of health workers and volunteers for surveys in affected areas, reaching down to the village level. These teams will identify individuals requiring immediate medical attention or hospital referral, ensuring comprehensive care for those impacted by the earthquake.

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We urgently need to send volunteer teams to all community health centers in North Flores to conduct field surveys in all villages and identify patients who need immediate care and referral to hospitals.