Director of Forest Resource Utilization and Security at the Ministry of Forestry’s Directorate General of Law Enforcement, Suharyono, said the health post was established by deploying a medical team from the ministry.
“We have opened a health post at SDN 20 Gumarang to provide medical services for residents over the next few days,” Suharyono said in Lubuk Basung, Agam District, West Sumatra on Thursday.
He explained that in addition to carrying out technical measures related to disaster mapping across Sumatra, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, the Ministry of Forestry has also dispatched social service volunteers to the three provinces.
According to Suharyono, the social service initiative aims to provide healthcare services, operate health posts for affected communities, and support volunteers working in disaster-hit areas.
“We are providing services not only to residents, but also to the volunteers on the ground,” he said.
During the provision of healthcare services in Agam, the Ministry of Forestry also distributed logistical assistance, including rice, cooking oil, sugar, and other basic necessities, to affected residents.
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A resident of Alahan Anggang, Nina Susanti, expressed her appreciation for the opening of the health post. “The health services are very helpful for us, as many people fell ill after the flash floods hit the area,” she said.
She noted that health posts had previously been set up by other volunteers a few days after the disaster. However, several weeks later, those posts were no longer operating, while residents still urgently needed medical services due to the long distance to healthcare facilities.
Alahan Anggang in Gumarang Jorong, Tigo Koto Silungkang Village, Palembayan sub-district, is a buffer area of the Maninjau Nature Reserve and also the upstream area of the Batang Nanggang River. A landslide in the area triggered flash floods that struck Salareh Aia, Palembayan sub-district, on Thursday, Nov. 27.
The disaster resulted in 138 fatalities, 66 people reported missing, hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed, and hundreds of hectares of agricultural land affected.
Related news: West Sumatra ensures health service continues post-disaster
Translator: Altas Maulana, Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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