68 Community Health Centres Damaged by Flores Earthquake, DPR Urges Faster Restoration of Health Services

A total of 68 community health centres (puskesmas) have been reported damaged by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Saturday (15/8/2026). Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR), Charles Honoris, said emergency response and restoration of health services following the earthquake must be accelerated.

According to him, health services are currently needed for residents in the disaster-affected areas of Flores. “We want to obtain a picture of the condition of all hospitals, puskesmas, and health service facilities in the affected districts in Flores in order to map further handling,” he said through his statement on Saturday (22/8/2026).

From the results of his visit to the disaster-affected locations, the damage to health facilities is quite massive in a number of areas affected by the earthquake. Of the 190 puskesmas operating in Flores, 68 units suffered damage. In fact, 19 puskesmas are still unable to serve the public.

“In Manggarai Regency, Ruteng Regional General Hospital suffered serious damage, so that some services had to be carried out outside the hospital building. Meanwhile, Reo Pratama Hospital suffered very severe damage and services had to be transferred to temporary facilities,” he said.

Charles said parliamentary oversight is not only focused on those two health facilities. According to him, his party will also conduct a thorough evaluation of health service facilities across all affected areas.