Health Ministry Bolsters Disaster Response with Reserve Workers, emergency Teams
Padang, West Sumatra – The Indonesian Health Ministry is proactively preparing for a potential megathrust earthquake by training and mobilizing a reserve force of health workers, officials announced Wednesday. These trained health volunteers will be readily available to support medical teams in the event of a disaster, not only in Padang but across affected regions.
“These reserve health workers are trained health volunteers who can be mobilized at any time in an emergency,” stated Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, Secretary General of the Health Ministry, during a national megathrust preparedness simulation held in Padang City.The simulation involved coordinated efforts from key agencies including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Army (TNI), and the Police.Beyond the reserve force, the Ministry is also establishing an internationally certified emergency medical team, poised for immediate deployment to provide on-site health services. A central emergency operations center will serve as the coordination hub during a crisis, ensuring effective collaboration between sectors.
“During a crisis, coordination is essential to help us act according to the conditions at the time, and not act independently,” Nugraha emphasized. He highlighted the critical role of health workers as frist responders in disaster situations, particularly in victim care and the post-disaster recovery process. “The health sector plays a crucial role as the frontline….”
Nugraha acknowledged West Sumatra’s high vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire. He stressed that the simulation’s purpose wasn’t to instill fear, but to increase public awareness and preparedness for potential natural disasters.
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Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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