"West Sumatra has a long history of earthquakes and tsunamis. This simulation is important to minimize victims and ensure rapid emergency response. During crises, the most important thing is speed and cross-sectoral coordination," the Health Ministry's secretary general, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, said.
In a statement here on Thursday, the simulation is a measure to foster preparedness, and not meant to scare people.
Nugraha stated that the ministry has four strategies to improve emergency medical response, ranging from extra medical personnel, Emergency Medical Team (EMT), Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), and Public Safety Center (PSC) 119.
The training focuses on four aspects: coordination skills, medical logistic supply, referral system, and cross-sectoral network.
"Participation from many groups shows commitment to build a strong, responsive health system. This simulation is an important moment not only for West Sumatra but can also become a model for other areas," he said.
In the same statement, the ministry's head for Health Crisis Center, Agus Jamaluddin, said that the training ranges from technical training to field exercise.
Some 657 participants are from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), National Defense Force (TNI), National Police (Polri), Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), state's electricity company PLN, even public organizations, he said.
Deputy Governor of West Sumatra, Vasko Ruseimy, said that preparedness is a crucial investment to ensure people's safety.
"We cannot avoid earthquakes, but we can improve preparation so the impact can be minimized. What we do today can determine the safety of thousands, even millions, of lives in the future," he noted.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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