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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Health & Science

UMI Medical Team Reaches Remote Manggarai Mountains to Deliver Aid and Health Services

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A medical team from Universitas Muslim Indonesia (UMI) in Makassar reached remote mountainous areas in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, to provide aid.
  • The mission focused on Cibal and Reok Barat districts, which have limited access to healthcare professionals, with some health centers lacking doctors.
  • The team treated 120 patients, addressing issues like respiratory infections and skin conditions, and identified basic needs for disaster-affected residents.

A medical volunteer team from Universitas Muslim Indonesia (UMI) in Makassar has successfully navigated challenging mountainous terrain in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, to deliver essential medical supplies and services. Their humanitarian mission specifically targeted the Cibal and Reok Barat districts, areas known for their scarcity of healthcare access.

Dr. Berry Erida Hasbi, the team's field leader, explained that the chosen locations were identified in coordination with local disaster management and health authorities. These areas were flagged as having health centers without doctors, prompting the UMI team's deployment. The volunteers prioritized reaching these mountainous regions, as aid often concentrates in more accessible areas closer to urban centers.

We received information that several health centers did not have doctors. Therefore, after coordinating with the Regional Disaster Management Agency and the Health Office, we moved to Cibal and Reok Barat.

— dr. Berry Erida HasbiExplaining the decision to target specific remote areas with limited medical staff.

Upon arrival, the team conducted health screenings, identifying common ailments such as coughs and breathing difficulties in children, and mobility issues for elderly residents seeking care. Beyond medical treatment, they also assessed the ongoing needs of residents for basic necessities like medicine, blankets, and shelter following the disaster.

The team spent about three to four hours navigating winding roads, passing mountain slopes and several damaged road sections due to post-disaster conditions. We are happy that our arrival was welcomed well.

— dr. Berry Erida HasbiDescribing the challenging journey to reach the affected communities.

The journey itself was arduous, involving several hours of navigating winding, damaged roads along mountain slopes. Despite the difficulties, the team felt rewarded by the warm reception from the community. While some volunteers headed to the Dampek area, the need in Cibal and Reok Barat remained significant, as these locations had been less frequently reached by other aid groups.

In total, the UMI medical team provided health services to 120 individuals, examining 110 patients at their treatment tent and visiting 10 others at their homes. The most prevalent health complaints included acute respiratory infections, dermatitis, and sleep disturbances.

This place has not been touched much because, on average, other medical teams go to the Dampek area. That's why we tried to reach Cibal and Reok Barat.

— dr. Berry Erida HasbiHighlighting the team's effort to serve underserved areas.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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