Health Minister: Donation of 31 Ambulances for Sumatra Demonstrates Community Spirit
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the donation of 31 ambulances from various partners to accelerate recovery in disaster-affected areas of Sumatra represents evidence of the extraordinary community spirit of mutual assistance (gotong royong).
“Beyond ambulances, many medical devices have been donated by our partners. This demonstrates that the Indonesian people’s spirit of mutual assistance is extraordinary,” Budi said in Jakarta on Thursday.
To complement donations from private partners, the Health Minister said the government is also allocating 529 billion rupiah for healthcare budgets in affected areas.
Budi noted that to ensure healthcare services in affected regions, additional items are still needed, including beds, tables, chairs, refrigeration units for vaccines, computers, and high-tech equipment such as CT scanners, MRI machines, mammography units, and X-ray equipment.
With 529 billion rupiah, he said the equipment is expected to be procured by June 2026.
He also appreciated the private sector for assisting in fulfilling various healthcare service requirements.
“Once the equipment and facilities are ready, our focus turns to the healthcare workers themselves. The people. Our initial data shows over 3,000 healthcare workers with damaged homes, so how can they work?” he said.
Currently, approximately 1,000 healthcare workers have been approved to receive housing renovation assistance funds.
“For minor damage, it’s 15 million rupiah. For moderate damage, 30 million rupiah, and for severe damage, 60 million rupiah. In this way, all medical and healthcare workers can quickly renovate their homes and return to normal life,” he explained.
The Health Ministry’s Secretary General Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha stated that 20 ambulances come from PT Astra International, 10 from PT Indomobil, and 1 from Yayasan Imeco Bhakti Nusa.
The ambulances will be distributed to several regions, including Aceh Tamiang, Bireuen, Gayo Lues, Bener Meriah, Medan, and Padang Pariaman.