Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has activated nine emergency operations centers across East Nusa Tenggara following a major earthquake, prioritizing the rapid restoration of regional hospital services to handle expected surge capacity.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Tuesday that authorities are focused on returning all hospitals in affected municipalities to full operational status within one week.
Priority is being given to essential care, including trauma surgery, maternal and pediatric services, and hemodialysis.
“The main priority is ensuring all hospitals in affected districts and cities can return to optimal function to anticipate a potential surge in patients,” Sadikin said.
The ministry has deployed crisis management teams and Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) alongside field hospitals and emergency supplies to Sikka and Ende districts.
On Sunday, initial relief shipments arrived containing basic medicine packages, emergency surgical kits, 10 oxygen concentrators, two health post tents, and tens of thousands of protective gloves and masks.
Eight additional field tents remain on standby for immediate dispatch.
According to situation reports, the earthquake impacted eight districts and municipalities across the province: Sikka, Ende, Nagekeo, Ngada, East Flores, and the three Manggarai regencies (West, Central, and East).
Sadikin noted that health authorities are coordinating closely with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to maintain medical staffing, accelerate facility repairs, and stabilize regional healthcare networks.
Translator: Mecca, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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