Thanks to the CT Arsa Foundation, Kalurahan Mertelu in Gunungkidul Now Has an Ambulance

CT Arsa Foundation organised the Gebrag Literacy Sharing Movement (Gebrag) in Kalurahan Mertelu, Gedangsari, Gunungkidul. In the event, CT Arsa Foundation conducted free health checks, distributed staple food packages, and handed over an ambulance vehicle to assist access to health services in the area.

CT Arsa Foundation Operations PIC Haerani Akbar said the activity in Mertelu aligns with four pillars of CT Arsa. The first pillar is education, hence they held literacy activities for children in Mertelu.

‘Then, for the health pillar, we conducted free health checks for residents of Mertelu. The checks covered general health and dental examinations,’ she told reporters at the Mertelu Kalurahan Office, Gedangsari, Gunungkidul, on Saturday 23 May 2026.

While the literacy activity aims to ensure children in Mertelu understand the importance of education, so that they can access better schooling in the future. ‘In the future, this literacy work will not stop here; we have an Inspiration House in Guyangan Lor and, continuously, we will run programmes such as those at PAUD, especially regarding the education of children there,’ she said.

In addition, CT Arsa also distributed staple foods to the Mertelu community. At the event CT Arsa also handed over an ambulance to Kalurahan Mertelu. ‘For the ambulance, thankfully it was formally conveyed yesterday to Mertelu by Mrs. Anita Ratnasari Tanjung in Sukoharjo, Central Java. Today we handed it over to the on‑site person in charge,’ she said.

Akbar explained that the ambulance is being provided because access to health facilities from Mertelu is relatively distant. Moreover, the Kalurahan Mertelu had not previously owned an ambulance.

‘We hope the ambulance can be used by the residents of Mertelu. We recognise that access to hospitals and Puskesmas is in real need of an ambulance,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Nur Hidayat Agustina, the Lurah (village head) of Mertelu, said the literacy initiative by CT Arsa was very helpful. According to her, CT Arsa has already assisted the Mertelu community in various ways, from borehole drilling for clean water, construction of an Inspiration House, distribution of staple foods, to the provision of an ambulance.

‘Our hope is that this collaboration with CT Arsa will bring progress and goodness to the Mertelu community,’ she said. Nur also expressed gratitude that Mertelu now has an ambulance, noting that previously the village was far from suitable ambulance services for referrals. ‘For Kalurahan Mertelu, the distance to second‑level referral hospitals is very great. Moreover, there was no ambulance on standby. With this ambulance aid, it will make it easier for residents to access healthcare,’ she added.

One resident, Ngatijo (62), said he was pleased with the free health checks as they let him understand his health condition. ‘I had my health checked earlier and the result was normal; I joined because it is free,’ he said.

Another resident from Guyangan Lor, Mertelu, said the ambulance from CT Arsa would be a great help, as residents previously found it difficult to access ambulance services. ‘Alhamdulillah, CT Arsa has provided an ambulance and conducted social outreach and health checks; I am very grateful. Mertelu did not have an ambulance before, so this is the first time, and I am very thankful,’ he said.