Interior Minister Says Private Ambulance Aid Strengthens National Resilience
The Interior Minister and Head of the Task Force for Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) in Sumatra Muhammad Tito Karnavian has stated that ambulance assistance from the private sector through the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) demonstrates the strength of national resilience and social concern in disaster management.
Tito made these remarks during a handover ceremony for ambulances to disaster-affected areas held at the Kemenkes office in Jakarta on Thursday (12 March). The event saw 31 ambulances and various medical equipment from the private sector being handed over to Regional General Hospitals (RSUDs) and Community Health Centres (Puskesmas) in affected regions.
According to Tito, support from the non-government sector is crucial in accelerating the post-disaster recovery process. He considered the collaboration between the central government, regional governments (Pemda), and various other parties to reflect the strength of Indonesia’s national resilience in facing disasters.
“Because we are handling this major disaster with our own national strength,” Tito said in a written statement on Thursday (12 March 2026).
He added that the involvement of the business world in providing assistance also demonstrates high levels of social concern and a spirit of mutual cooperation to help affected communities. The donors providing ambulance assistance include PT Astra International Tbk., PT Indomobil Trada Nasional, and Yayasan Imeco Bhakti Nusa.
Tito also appreciated the rapid steps taken by Kemenkes in restoring health facilities (faskes) in disaster-affected areas. He noted that most hospitals and Puskesmas have returned to operation within a relatively short time after the disaster.
“Because the Health Minister went directly to the field, then also sent volunteers, I met many volunteers, even in the mountains, and that was very helpful,” he said.
Furthermore, the government is still targeting the completion of restoration of various health facilities at the village level. Based on data compiled, there are still auxiliary health posts (pustu) currently undergoing treatment.
In addition to focusing on the restoration of health facilities, the government is also giving attention to health workers (nakes) affected by the disaster. Tito emphasised the importance of accelerating the distribution of assistance to health workers so they can remain focused on providing services to communities.
“So that health workers are willing to help the community, they are not thinking of themselves, they have finished dealing with their own situation because they have already received assistance, it is something like that,” he said.
Also attending the event were Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and officials from Kemenkes, as well as representatives from the donors and recipient regional governments.