Health Ministry provides 11 ambulances to aid disaster recovery in Aceh Tamiang
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has handed over aid consisting of 11 ambulance vehicles and six generator engines to the Aceh Tamiang Regency Government as an effort to strengthen or restore healthcare services in the affected area following the disaster.
The Head of the Health Crisis Centre of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Agus Jamaluddin, in Aceh Tamiang on Monday, stated that the aid, collected through CSR schemes and central funds, aims to restore the health status of communities impacted by the disaster.
“Disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have left serious health problems. We hope that these operational vehicles and generator aid can be utilised as much as possible to serve the community,” said Agus Jamaluddin.
He emphasised that synergy between the central and local governments does not stop at the handover of aid, but also involves maintenance of facilities to ensure public services remain optimal in the long term.
The Ministry of Health is encouraging hospitals and community health centres (puskesmas) in Aceh Tamiang to immediately accelerate the progress of claims for disaster emergency healthcare services. Moreover, according to him, the current administrative response is still slow even though regulations and budgets are already available.
“The funds are there, but the response is still low. We ask Muda Sedia General Hospital and puskesmas to immediately submit claims. Classic obstacles such as the loss of ID cards of affected residents should be overcome with certificates from the village level in accordance with the existing technical guidelines,” he said.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to providing disaster management training so that the health emergency operations centre (HEOC) can operate effectively during crises,” said Agus.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent of Aceh Tamiang, Ismail, appreciated President Prabowo Subianto, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Public Works for their quick response to the urgent needs in the area.
“The floods that hit some time ago not only damaged infrastructure but also paralysed primary healthcare access. This aid is new hope for us to rise again,” said Ismail.
Therefore, he instructed the recipient agencies to maintain the aid as best as possible.
Post-disaster normalisation is expected to receive ongoing support so that health facilities have better resilience in the future.
On this occasion, the Head of the Aceh Tamiang Health Office, dr Mustakim, reported that of the total 11 ambulance units, 10 units are distributed to puskesmas affected by the floods, including six generator units. Meanwhile, one more unit is handed over to Muda Sedia General Hospital.