Health Minister: Rp529.3 Billion Needed to Repair Thousands of Health Facilities in Sumatra
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said that Rp529.3 billion is needed to repair approximately 3,000 health facilities affected by the Sumatra disaster to full operational condition, with health services targeted to be ready by March 2026.
“Firstly, all hospitals and all community health centres are now operational. We only have 21 auxiliary health posts remaining, out of thousands of health facilities,” Budi said during a parliamentary session in Jakarta on Wednesday concerning the acceleration of recovery in disaster-affected areas of Sumatra.
He explained that a letter requesting funding assistance had been submitted to President Prabowo Subianto on 20 January 2026, and that his ministry was seeking expedited approval.
Budi noted that his ministry requires two forms of assistance. In addition to the disbursement of funds for health facility renovations, it also needs funding to renovate approximately 8,800 homes belonging to health workers affected by the disaster.
The data on health workers requiring assistance has already been verified by his ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs, and is now merely awaiting fund disbursement. He expressed hope that the funds could be paid out before Lebaran 2026.
“So that their homes can be repaired and they can settle in comfortably before Lebaran, enabling them to return to work,” he said.
At the same session, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said this could be included as a proposed expenditure for ministries and agencies under the Disaster Task Force.
“It just needs to be submitted there — that’s the procedure. To Bappenas, to the Task Force. And then it’s released,” Purbaya said.
He noted that from the initial funds allocated for post-disaster recovery, amounting to Rp50-60 trillion, a substantial balance remains.
Previously, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had said his ministry was targeting health services in disaster-affected areas of Sumatra to be fully operational from March 2026.
His ministry has also opened donations so that needed medical equipment, such as X-ray machines, can be procured promptly.
Beyond health facilities, the ministry is also pursuing the rehabilitation and reconstruction of homes belonging to medical and health personnel affected by the disaster.