All General Hospitals In Sumatra Flood-hit Provinces Resume Operations

JAKARTA, Dec 29 (Bernama-ANTARA) -- All regional general hospitals (RSUDs) in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have resumed operations after being affected by floods and landslides last November, according to a minister, reported ANTARA News Agency.

"All RSUDs have resumed operations, although some are still running at limited capacity," Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

He said the disasters affected 867 community health centres, with eight still undergoing recovery.

"We are striving to accelerate the process," Pratikno added.

To ensure access to healthcare, he said the government continues to deploy health workers, including specialist doctors, general practitioners, and medical interns, as volunteers providing basic health services, minor surgery, and trauma care in isolated areas.

As of Monday, more than half of the disaster-affected cities and districts across the three Sumatran provinces have moved from the emergency response period to the transition phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction, he noted.

Pratikno said seven districts and cities in Aceh have entered the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, while 11 others have extended the emergency response period.

In North Sumatra, eight regions have moved to the post-emergency stage, while another eight have extended their emergency status.

Rehabilitation and reconstruction have also begun in 10 regions of West Sumatra, with three others still under emergency response.

"The regions that extended the emergency response period aim to better prepare for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase," Pratikno said.

On the same occasion, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said a total of 87 hospitals in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra had been paralysed by the disasters, which claimed more than 1,100 lives.

"Fortunately, all hospitals resumed serving patients within one month. While some have not yet returned to full capacity, they are now able to provide treatment," he added.

-- BERNAMA-ANTARA