Post-Earthquake Health Services in NTT Continue in Emergency Tents

The condition of Ruteng Hospital in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has become a serious concern following the earthquake, as a number of buildings have suffered damage and are considered no longer fit for use. Some parts of the buildings are even in a worrying condition and at risk of collapse.

Deputy Chair of House Commission IX from the PKB faction, Nihayatul Wafiroh, familiarly known as Ninik, confirmed that amid these conditions, patient services continue to operate using emergency tents.

One of these is a tent labelled as a postnatal ward, where mothers who are about to give birth or have just delivered receive care. Ninik revealed that there are around 15 patients in the tent with varying conditions.

“There are mothers who gave birth to twins, one who had just undergone a caesarean section that day, one who experienced bleeding and needed rest, one who had just undergone a curettage procedure, and another who was waiting for the birth of her baby,” said Ninik in her statement on Tuesday (24/8).

She recounted that among the patients was a 16-year-old mother who was undergoing treatment after experiencing bleeding. Nevertheless, her pregnancy was reported to be in good condition. In general, Ninik was grateful that most of the mothers and babies being treated were in good health.

“Apart from the postnatal ward, a number of hospital services have also been forced to move to emergency tents. One of them is the radiology room. Because of the risk of radiation exposure, the delegation did not enter the tent,” she said.

Another tent has been converted into an emergency department. A number of patients are still being treated in the approximately 10 available beds. The majority of patients being treated suffered fractures as a result of the earthquake. Ninik highlighted a number of issues that need to be urgently raised with the government, particularly the Ministry of Health.