Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, after visiting Margono Soekarjo Regional Hospital in Purwokerto, Banyumas, on Tuesday, stressed that disaster response must operate in a tiered system—from district and city to provincial and national levels—to ensure swift action.
He said the central government is ready to support local authorities, but initial disaster response remains under regional leadership.
“For disasters, it’s best for the Regional Secretary to lead. We support him. Whatever he needs, we provide,” Sadikin said.
Each region has medical teams organized according to disaster management protocols. When a district or city lacks capacity, support is escalated to the provincial level, and if necessary, the national government intervenes through a nationwide network.
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“We have doctors at the crisis center, but they are deployed as needed. Districts and cities have their own teams. If they cannot cope, it escalates to the province; if the province cannot handle it, then the national level steps in,” he explained.
Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno said the provincial government has assessed each landslide to determine medical, logistical, and hospital support needs.
Health teams from provincial and district or city offices have been providing services to evacuees, including mental health and trauma support.
“We ensure rapid response teams operate optimally. Hospitals are also on standby to meet any surge in demand due to the disaster,” Sumarno added.
Cross-sector coordination continues to ensure that health services for victims and affected communities are delivered promptly, accurately, and effectively according to developments on the ground.
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Translator: Sumarwoto, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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