"I think our intern doctors can be deployed," he said during a talk with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in a meeting in Aceh on Sunday (December 7).
The deployment of medical interns is necessitated by a shortage of health workers in Sumatra, as local physicians were also affected by the flooding.
Medical interns participate in a mandatory 12-month program aimed at improving their competence, self-reliance, and professionalism after graduation, overseen by the Ministry of Health in hospitals and community health centers.
In response to this directive, Minister Sadikin requested assistance from Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who was also present at the meeting, to help deploy approximately 300 doctors from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police for three months to work alongside the intern doctors.
According to Sadikin, doctors from the Ministry of Defense will assist interns at every community health center (Puskesmas) in areas affected by floods and landslides.
"If possible, I need around 300 doctors from the Defense Ministry in the next three months," he noted.
Meanwhile, Minister Sjafrie stated that his office has prepared emergency response needs beyond the defense equipment provided to handle the floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
"We have prepared three independent helicopters, consisting of one reinforcement we received and two helicopters we leased. These are designated as mobile health teams in each province," he explained.
According to him, these health teams work independently, with their sole focus being to support activities in refugee camps by conducting health examinations for disaster victims.
Regarding the health service, the Health Ministry is also speeding up cleaning, repairs, and service recovery at regional hospitals (RSUD) affected by landslides and flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
For example, intensive cleaning has been underway at Aceh Tamiang Regional Hospital, with support from the Indonesian military and the Fire Department.
The flooded emergency room area and the Hemodialysis and Polyclinic buildings have been handled. The pharmaceutical warehouse on the second floor has also been confirmed safe and has sufficient drug supplies.
Related news: BNPB estimates Sumatra flood recovery cost at US$3.1 billion
Related news: Indonesia races to restore services at flood-hit hospitals in Sumatra
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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