Doctors and Nurses at Ruteng Regional Hospital Exhausted, Several Health Workers Fall Ill
The burden of post-earthquake services has left a number of doctors and nurses at Ruteng Regional Hospital (RSUD Ruteng) in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), exhausted and unwell. The situation has arisen amid the hospital’s limited health workforce.
RSUD Ruteng public relations officer Yohana R.D. Mari said the hospital has 312 nurses and midwives as well as 19 general practitioners. She said this number is still insufficient to meet service needs, especially after the earthquake.
“The health workforce is very insufficient. Even without the earthquake we are short-staffed, let alone having to operate in two locations with only 312 nurses and midwives at the regional hospital and 19 general practitioners,” Yohana said when contacted by Media Indonesia on Wednesday (19/8).
Of the 19 general practitioners, one is currently ill, while six other doctors are in poor health. Despite this, the six doctors are continuing their shift schedules while taking medication. In addition to the doctors, four nurses are also experiencing health problems.
“With the condition of several doctors and nurses who are exhausted and on IV drips in the hospital’s emergency department,” she said.
The service burden has increased because RSUD Ruteng is still treating earthquake victims. As of Tuesday (18/8), 25 earthquake victims were being treated at the hospital. Eight patients have undergone surgery, comprising three orthopaedic operations and five caesarean sections.
Overall, the number of patients receiving services at RSUD Ruteng has reached 82 people. A total of 35 patients are being treated in tents, while other patients are placed in first-floor treatment rooms. The hospital is also serving eight haemodialysis patients.
Health workers on duty in the tents are also facing cold conditions, a lack of heating, and limited places to rest. These conditions add to the burden on health workers who must continue to provide services to patients.
Yohana said the shortage of health workers also affects services in Reo and community health educators. This situation makes the need for additional personnel increasingly important amid post-earthquake services.
The situation also demonstrates the need to strengthen the capacity of RSUD Ruteng so that it can accommodate more patients, especially when there is a surge in demand for health services due to disasters.