Sikka Police and Brimob Erect Emergency Tents at Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital
Sikka Police moved quickly to assist with patient handling following the earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara. At Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital, Kewapante Police personnel together with Company 4 of Pioneer Battalion B Maumere coordinated and erected a number of emergency tents.
The move was made after several hospital patients were evacuated to the car park as a precaution against possible aftershocks and risks to the hospital building. This was to ensure the safety of patients and that health services continued to operate.
“In an emergency situation like this, public safety is the priority. Our personnel together with Brimob and the hospital moved quickly to ensure patients have a safe place while health services continue to run,” said Sikka Police Chief AKBP Bambang Supeno in his statement on Saturday (15/8/2026).
Coordination began at around 08.30 Wita between Head of SPKT 3 Kewapante Police Aipda Maxi Pingak and Logistics NCO of Company 4 Pioneer Battalion B Maumere Aipda Orlandus Leke Kasa. The coordination concerned the need for tents to accommodate patients who were being evacuated.
At around 08.45 Wita, personnel from Company 4 Pioneer Battalion B together with Kewapante Police members began erecting tents in the emergency department yard of Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital.
The tent was used to support emergency department and NICU services, so that medical services for patients could continue even though some patients had to be evacuated from the building.
Adult and Infant Patients Evacuated to Tents
Sikka Police Chief explained that, based on data collection, there were 56 adult patients and 15 babies at Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital.
In addition to the first tent, at around 10.00 Wita two more tents belonging to Company 4 Pioneer Battalion B were erected in the evacuation route area. The two tents were designated for maternity and infant patients.
“The placement of tents is adjusted to patient needs. This is done so that people undergoing treatment continue to receive services while being in a safer location,” explained AKBP Bambang.
The Kewapante Police Chief together with the Kewapante Sub-district Head and a representative of Company 4 Pioneer Battalion B also coordinated directly with the Director of Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital, Dr Joan Puspita Tanumihardja, MARS., regarding patient conditions and follow-up handling needs.
From the coordination, the hospital still needed additional tents to accommodate all patients. The Director of Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital then coordinated with the Sikka Regency BPBD to obtain two additional tents.
Two Rubble Victims Undergo Treatment
In addition to handling hospital patients, there were two victims who suffered injuries from rubble in the waiting area of L. Say Maumere Port.
Both received medical treatment at Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital. The first victim was Sister Doctor Yustina Wela, SSpS, 55, who suffered three wounds to the head. The second victim, Yohana Jaji, 67, suffered impact injuries to the head and bruising on the back of her right hand.
Both were known to be about to travel to Lembata before the incident caused by the earthquake. After all tents were erected, patients were immediately moved to the tents according to their designated purposes.
Police Ensure Services Continue
AKBP Bambang Supeno stressed that Sikka Police will continue to coordinate with the local government, hospital, BPBD, Brimob and related agencies in dealing with the post-earthquake situation.
“The Police will remain on the ground to help the community. We also urge the public to remain calm, be alert to possible aftershocks and follow the instructions of officers,” he said.
According to him, cross-agency synergy is essential in disaster situations so that evacuation, health services and meeting community needs can be carried out quickly.
The tent erection and arrangement activities at Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital were completed at around 11.00 Wita. The entire series of activities proceeded safely and in an orderly manner.
Sikka Police ensured that monitoring of community conditions and health facilities will continue as part of efforts to provide protection and the best services for residents affected by the earthquake.