Government Accelerates Post-Disaster Health Sector Recovery in Sumatra
The government is accelerating the recovery of the health sector in disaster-affected areas of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as part of efforts to rebuild safer, healthier, and more resilient communities. Various strategic measures are being implemented to restore optimal health services, ensuring the public receives proper care during the rehabilitation and reconstruction process. The recovery is not only focused on rebuilding damaged health facilities but is also directed at improving the overall quality of services. This includes providing modern medical equipment, fulfilling medicine and medical logistics needs, strengthening health human resources, and enhancing surveillance systems and rapid response capacity to anticipate potential disease outbreaks following the disaster. In addition to restoring physical health services, the government is also paying attention to mental health and the welfare of vulnerable groups. Psychosocial support programmes are being continuously strengthened, accompanied by nutritional status checks for the community, including periodic screenings for toddlers, pregnant women, and the elderly. These measures are expected to ensure a comprehensive recovery process so that the community can resume their lives in a better condition.
Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stressed that the success of permanent recovery in 53 affected districts and cities requires collaboration from all stakeholders. He noted that synergy between the government, the business sector, community organisations, academics, and the public is key to ensuring the rehabilitation and reconstruction process runs quickly, is well-targeted, and is sustainable. “We hope for support from all parties, including community leaders in the three regions, to work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation,” Tito stated on Friday (10/7/2026). The statement was made following a ministerial-level meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture office in Jakarta on 18 June.
In line with this effort, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin affirmed his ministry’s commitment to overseeing the acceleration of health service recovery in the three regions through various integrated programmes and budget support. In the initial phase, the Ministry of Finance has approved a budget allocation of more than Rp100 billion for hospital recovery, while support for community health centres (Puskesmas) is also being expedited to ensure primary health services can return to optimal function as soon as possible. This commitment is part of a permanent recovery plan outlined in the Master Plan for Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra for 2026-2028. The document serves as a joint reference for central and regional governments in carrying out 11,520 rehabilitation and reconstruction activities with a total funding requirement of Rp100.166 trillion. Within this framework, the health sector is a priority pillar of social recovery, encompassing 6,194 activities with a budget allocation of approximately Rp18.73 trillion. These funds will be used to rebuild health and education services, strengthen protection for vulnerable groups, expand psychosocial support services, and increase social resilience in the affected areas.