Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Health has deployed 160 Reserve Health Workers (TCK) to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to strengthen psychosocial and mental health services in earthquake-affected areas.
Sumarjaya, acting head of the ministry’s Health Crisis Center, said on Tuesday that the second batch of 160 personnel departed from Terminal 2 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, bound for four districts: Ngada, Manggarai, Manggarai Barat, and Manggarai Timur.
The ministry previously sent 206 health workers to support primary medical care across NTT.
“The approach is slightly different, focusing more on psychosocial support and deploying personnel to provide mental health services to communities in Flores,” Sumarjaya said on Monday.
During this second deployment phase, personnel will deliver services across local health facilities, including community health centers (Puskesmas) and field hospitals.
Two field hospitals are currently operational in Ruteng and Ngada to support affected residents, Sumarjaya noted.
He added that TCK teams provide psychosocial care, targeting children and residents experiencing disaster-related trauma.
Sumarjaya explained that disasters cause not only physical injuries like fractures and wounds, but also damage psychological well-being as residents process personal loss and shock.
TCK rotations adhere to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, operating on a 14-day shift before personnel rotation. Deployments align with the emergency response timeline established by the NTT Provincial Government through Sept. 12, 2026, which can be extended based on field evaluations.
In addition to psychosocial care, TCK personnel assist with post-operative patient management following earlier deployments of orthopedic and surgical specialists.
Dr. Shaldy Syifa Azzahri, a general practitioner on the TCK team, said preparations included gathering essential medical supplies while ensuring personnel maintain physical and mental readiness.
Meanwhile, another general practitioner, Dr. Rayhendra Hanif from Padang, said he prepared himself mentally and brought personal necessities, including the medications he would need during his assignment.
His decision to join the TCK program was also influenced by his personal experience with earthquakes. Hanif experienced the 2009 Padang earthquake while he was still in elementary school, an experience that inspired him to help communities facing similar disasters.
Related news: 1,931 education facilities resume classes after NTT quake
Related news: Minister urges NTT regions to optimize Rp200 billion quake funds
Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2026