Visiting NTT Earthquake Evacuees, Gibran Cradles Baby in Treatment Tent

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming visited earthquake evacuees in NTT at the TC Hillers Maumere Regional General Hospital following the earthquake in Sikka Regency on Thursday (20/8).

In addition to speaking with several mothers who had recently given birth and were being treated in the emergency ward, Gibran was also seen cradling a baby. From the available photographs, Gibran can be seen holding a newborn baby in the emergency treatment area. As reported by Antara, he requested that the emergency facilities be improved.

“Please have the covering added later,” said Gibran.

At the time, the treatment tent was visibly penetrated by sunlight in many places.

Gibran also assured the patients that post-earthquake handling would continue to be improved so that they could return to being treated in proper rooms and their homes could be repaired.

Sikka Regent Juventus Prima Yoris Kago, who accompanied Gibran, joked that he should name one of the newborn babies.

Gibran also toured the hospital facilities, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for newborns requiring intensive care. He also paid special attention to a number of babies being treated outside the rooms.

Earlier, Gibran had inspected Wairklau State Elementary School to visit evacuees and observe the damage to Laurentius Say Port in Maumere caused by the earthquake.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that as of today, a total of 75 fatalities have been recorded as a result of the earthquake in the NTT region. Meanwhile, the total number of evacuees across NTT has now reached tens of thousands.