Task Force Ensures Medical Services Recover in Affected Areas
The Acceleration Task Force for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) for post-disaster Sumatra continues to strengthen healthcare services in affected areas by mobilising thousands of health volunteer personnel. By the end of February 2026, 6,525 volunteers had been deployed across three affected provinces.
According to a report from the Ministry of Health, of the total volunteers, 5,734 personnel have been placed in Aceh, 286 in North Sumatra, and 505 in West Sumatra.
The deployment has been undertaken to ensure that basic healthcare services continue during the rehabilitation and reconstruction period.
The strongest reinforcement has been focused on Aceh through the Health Reserve Personnel (TCK) scheme. A total of 1,792 volunteers have been dispatched in five waves of assignments.
They have been positioned to strengthen services in areas with limited access, operational evacuation centres, and healthcare facilities such as primary health centres (puskesmas) and hospitals.
Volunteer placement in Aceh has been prioritised in five affected regencies with access constraints: Aceh Tamiang, Central Aceh, North Aceh, Gayo Lues, and Pidie Jaya.
The presence of volunteers in these areas represents an important element in ensuring that basic healthcare services continue to operate during the rehabilitation and reconstruction process.
A total of 171 TCK Batch 5 volunteers commenced duties on 15 February 2026 and are scheduled through 28 February 2026, with focus on strengthening primary healthcare services and supporting the operations of affected health facilities.
Alongside strengthening healthcare personnel, the Satgas PRR has also recorded progress of affected health facilities. As of 26 February 2026, the total affected facilities in the three provinces stood at 414 units, with 146 units in Aceh, 119 units in North Sumatra, and 149 units in West Sumatra now operational.
In recent developments, two primary health centres that previously provided services outside their buildings owing to facility damage are now operating from newly constructed modular puskesmas, which were completed and officially inaugurated on 13 February 2026.
These two puskesmas are Lokop Primary Health Centre in Lokop Village, Serba Jadi District, East Aceh Regency, and Jambur Lak Lak Primary Health Centre in Jambur Lak Lak Village, Ketambe District, Southeast Aceh Regency.
With the operation of these modular puskesmas, community healthcare services can now be delivered more optimally.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in accelerating the recovery of healthcare services following the disaster.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Public Works for constructing this puskesmas very quickly. Cross-sector collaboration like this is essential so that community healthcare services can recover quickly,” said Budi.