NTT Earthquake: DPR Urges Health Service Emergency Status
A member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ashabul Kahfi, has stressed the importance of declaring a health service emergency following the earthquake in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).
He said health facilities suffered damage as a result of the M7.7 earthquake in NTT. Of the 190 community health centres (puskesmas) in the affected areas, he said 122 are fully operational, 49 are partially operational and 19 are not yet operational. In terms of buildings, 11 puskesmas suffered minor damage, 37 moderate damage and 20 severe damage.
Meanwhile, he continued, of the 21 hospitals, 16 are still fully operational, 4 are partially operational and 1 is not yet operational. It was also recorded that 6 hospitals suffered minor damage and 3 suffered severe damage.
“For us, this condition must be treated as a health service emergency, not merely a matter of building damage,” said Ashabul when contacted on Sunday (16/8).
The damage to health facilities means services for earthquake victims, pregnant women, babies, the elderly, patients with chronic illnesses and others are also at risk in the affected locations.
“Therefore, Commission IX is urging the Ministry of Health together with local governments to immediately ensure temporary health services are available, including tents/emergency facilities for health facilities that cannot yet be used,” he said.
On the other hand, Commission IX of the DPR RI appreciates the initial steps taken by the Ministry of Health, which has mobilised 2 health crisis management teams and 2 Emergency Medical Teams, activated HEOC in 9 locations and sent medical supplies, BMHP, emergency kits, health post tents and oxygen concentrators for earthquake victims in NTT.
The Ministry of Health is also planning to send eight basic medicine packages, five emergency kits, ten oxygen concentrators and health post tents on 16 August 2026.
“However, the most important thing is that the aid must be ensured to actually reach the health facilities and the people who need it most. Do not let the distribution stop only at the provincial or district level,” he stressed.
For health facilities that have suffered severe damage, he requested that technical assessments be carried out as soon as possible.
“Do not let patients and health workers be forced to provide services in buildings that have not been declared structurally safe,” he said.
Commission IX will continue to encourage the Ministry of Health to update data regularly regarding operational health facilities, the availability of health workers and medicines, referral services and rehabilitation needs.
“Do not let the earthquake disaster be followed by another problem, namely people losing access to health services because the facilities are slow to be restored,” he explained.
Furthermore, Ashabul continued, the health referral system in the areas affected by the NTT earthquake must continue to function even though road access, electricity and communications are still disrupted. Commission IX of the DPR RI also expressed its deep concern and condolences over the victims of the NTT earthquake.