Health ministry inaugurates disaster relief center<\/p>\n
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health inaugurated a national emergency center
\non Monday, which will provide medical assistance for victims of
\ndisasters and serve as a training center for emergency health
\nofficers.<\/p>\n
\"An immediate response to disasters needs a control center
\nwith well-trained human resources,\" Minister of Health Achmad
\nSuyudi said in his opening speech during the inauguration
\nceremony, which was held in conjunction with National Health Day
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
The center, called the Disaster Relief Brigade (BSB)
\nheadquarters, was established in February, but could not operate
\nadequately due to lack of facilities.<\/p>\n
Suyudi said the BSB is now equipped with sophisticated
\ncommunications facilities and experienced doctors, and will
\nhopefully meet the public's demand in dealing with acute and
\nchronic disasters.<\/p>\n
He said that since Indonesia does not have emergency
\nphysicians, the headquarters can serve as a training center
\nto educate doctors and paramedics as specialists on emergency
\nrelief.<\/p>\n
Located in the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central
\nJakarta, the BSB has 150 officers comprising doctors, paramedics,
\nand social workers who are ready to be dispatched to disaster
\nareas.<\/p>\n
The BSB headquarters is equipped with a 24-hour communication
\nfacility to monitor certain areas prone to natural disasters and
\nsocial upheavals such as communal riots. It also has a helicopter
\nand a helipad to ensure immediate mobility of the staff.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Djojosugito, head of the BSB, hopes that the BSB will
\nnot overlap with the tasks of local emergency relief workers.<\/p>\n
\"Principally, regional relief teams will be the first to take
\naction. But if they cannot handle it, we will help them,\" Achmad
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Aryono D. Pusponegoro, the headquarters' coordinator, said the
\nBSB will establish several branches in the North Sumatra capital
\nof Medan, Makassar in South Sulawesi and Surabaya in East Java.<\/p>\n
He said the BSB headquarters will conduct training courses for
\nat least 21 doctors using international standard emergency
\nskills.<\/p>\n
Under a three-year contract agreement, the doctors will be
\ntrained on how to handle several emergency cases, such as trauma
\n(ATLS) and cardiac problems (ALS) as well as management of major
\nincidents (MIMMS).<\/p>\n
Aryono said the training is needed because Indonesia does not
\nhave emergency physicians. \"They will become the first generation
\nof emergency physicians in Indonesia,\" he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/health-ministry-inaugurates-disaster-relief-center-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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