Disaster Recovery Task Force: Health volunteers strengthen services in affected areas
Jakarta – The Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction (PRR) Task Force continues to strengthen healthcare services in affected areas through mobilisation of thousands of health volunteers across three provinces.
According to a statement from the PRR Task Force and Ministry of Health released on Sunday, the total number of mobilised volunteers reached 6,525, comprising 5,734 volunteers in Aceh, 286 volunteers in North Sumatra, and 505 volunteers in West Sumatra.
Specifically in Aceh, strengthening efforts have been conducted extensively through the Health Reserve Personnel (TCK) scheme. A total of 1,792 volunteers have been integrated into five deployment waves to strengthen services in difficult-to-reach areas, remaining evacuation posts, and health facilities including community health centres (puskesmas) and hospitals.
Volunteer placements have been focused on five affected districts with limited access, namely Aceh Tamiang, Central Aceh, North Aceh, Gayo Lues, and Pidie Jaya.
The presence of volunteers in these areas constitutes an important component in ensuring basic healthcare services continue during the rehabilitation and reconstruction process.
A total of 171 Health Reserve Personnel from the fifth batch began duties on 15 February 2026, scheduled until 28 February 2026, focusing on strengthening primary healthcare services and supporting operations at affected health facilities.
Beyond strengthening healthcare personnel, the PRR Task Force has also documented developments in affected health facilities. As of 26 February 2026, the total number of affected health facilities across the three provinces stood at 414 units, with 146 units in Aceh, 119 units in North Sumatra, and 149 units in West Sumatra now operational.
Two community health centres previously providing services outside their buildings due to facility damage have now begun operating in newly constructed modular health centres, which were completed and inaugurated on 13 February 2026.
These two centres are Puskesmas Lokop in Lokop Village, Serba Jadi District, East Aceh Regency, and Puskesmas Jambur Lak Lak in Jambur Lak Lak Village, Ketambe District, Southeast Aceh Regency.
With the operation of these modular health centres, community healthcare services can now be delivered more optimally.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in accelerating post-disaster healthcare service recovery.
“We thank the Ministry of Public Works for constructing these health centres very quickly. Cross-sector collaboration like this is essential so that community healthcare services can recover soon,” Budi stated.