The ministry's Head of the Health Crisis Center, Agus Jamaludin, on Tuesday, said as an initial step, a rapid health assessment has been conducted to map risks and urgent needs.
According to him, all community health centers (Puskesmas) and hospitals are on standby, including strengthening mobile services and health posts in evacuation centers.
"We are strengthening basic services, screening, infectious disease mitigation, and monitoring vulnerable groups such as toddlers, pregnant women, and the elderly," Jamaludin explained.
In addition, the ministry is collaborating with regional health offices to ensure residents' health needs are met without interruption.
Besides collecting target data, Jamaludin said the health logistical support sent by the ministry as of December 1 includes 103 oxygen concentrator units, 11,200 boxes of supplementary feeding (PMT) for toddlers, and 6,000 boxes of PMT for pregnant women.
The shipments also include medicines, disposable medical supplies, 2,000 surgical masks, 500 medical gloves, 10 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) for officers, five pairs of boots, two manual sprayers, two packages of water quality test kits, and 100 foldable jerry cans.
"Then there are 93 body bags, 5,500 medical waste bags of various sizes, water purifier and disinfectant packages, and 25 boxes of medicines for healthcare services," Jamaludin continued.
To strengthen the field response, the ministry has also deployed crisis assistance teams to each affected province, while activating the Health Cluster and Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC).
"We also installed Starlink devices to maintain communication," he noted.
For essential healthcare services, three teams of Health Reserve Personnel (EMTs) have been deployed.
"We have opened 13 service points in West Sumatra in collaboration with professional organizations, ranging from general services and psychological consultations to breastfeeding support," he outlined.
To strengthen referrals, EMTs from vertical hospitals, including Adam Malik General Hospital, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, and M. Djamil General Hospital, Padang, have been on standby.
The ministry also deployed emergency specialists, orthopedists, obstetricians, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, general practitioners, and nurses, all to ensure optimal health services.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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