Health Minister Appreciates Private Sector Contribution to Accelerate Sumatra Disaster Recovery
Astra, through its Nurani Astra programme, has delivered 20 ambulances and 156 medical devices to the Indonesian Health Ministry (Kemenkes RI) to strengthen medical services for communities affected by flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
The handover ceremony took place at the Health Ministry’s office and was witnessed directly by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Home Minister Tito Karnavian. The aid was symbolically handed over by Astra Director Hamdhani Dzulkarnaen Salim and Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin appreciated the private sector’s swift action in helping accelerate the recovery of public facilities in disaster areas. “The government appreciates Astra’s support in strengthening health services. Collaboration like this is crucial to ensure that health facilities in the regions can continue to provide fast and adequate services, especially during post-disaster recovery,” Budi stated.
The 20 ambulances will be distributed to several critical locations. Aceh will be the largest recipient with 16 units for community health centres (puskesmas) and one unit for a regional hospital (RSUD). Additionally, one ambulance unit each will be allocated to health centres in Central Tapanuli, Medan City Regional Hospital, and Padang Pariaman City Health Centre.
Since December 2025, Astra has also repaired and inspected 126 ambulances distributed across 31 locations throughout Sumatra.
Astra’s Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto stated that the contribution reflects the company’s concern for public health access in remote areas affected by hydrometeorological disasters. “The distribution of ambulances and medical devices is expected to strengthen health services in affected areas, enabling communities to obtain faster and better access to medical assistance,” he said.
Beyond medical transport, Astra’s business unit Astra Otoparts has also provided 156 medical devices. Of these, 122 units were handed over to eight regional hospitals in Aceh, whilst 34 units were given to the Medical Device and Facility Safety Board (BPAFK) in Medan.
This initiative aligns with the vision of “Prosperity Together for the Nation” and supports Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets in improving public health quality equitably, including in post-disaster areas.