Medical Personnel Escort Children's Health In North Sumatra Floods, 350 Have Been Examined

JAKARTA - The major flood disaster that hit the North Sumatra and Aceh regions from late November to early December had a significant impact on children's health.

The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) of the North Sumatra Branch has become one of the medical organizations that move quickly to provide emergency health services for children in affected areas.

Deputy Chairman of IDAI North Sumatra Branch, Dr. dr. Eka Airlangga, MKed (Ped), SpA, revealed that pediatricians also became victims, but still chose to go down to help the community.

"This mobilizes pediatric friends who even though they are affected, they can have the opportunity to participate as well, even though their house is hit," said dr. Eka via live Instagram @idai_ig on Monday, December 1, 2025.

"In Medan, we have two locations that have been running, then for the Langkat area there are three locations, in the toll road rest area, meaning, then also in the area to enter the city of Tanjung Pura," he continued.

According to him, access to several affected points was still hampered until yesterday.

"We still can't go through the city of Tanjung Pura, so it's only about 2 km and 4 km before the city of Tanjung Pura, where we can coordinate with the local Health Office," he added.

In the first three days of the disaster response, IDAI North Sumatra noted that hundreds of children had undergone initial examinations.

"There are already almost 350 children, more than 1,500 families that we screened for the child care assessment that we have learned so far," explained dr. Eka.

In addition to health services, IDAI also distributes vital logistical assistance such as clean water and clothing.

"We have distributed 15,000 liters of clean water from donations from ladies and gentlemen, Instagram friends, to the Batu Malenggang and Jempa areas, with 200 water affected. God willing, tomorrow we will continue, because the medicines are running out," he said.

"Including the new proper clothes from donor donations, we have distributed them to mothers and children, so that they can carry better endurance during this flood period," he continued.

dr. Eka hopes that the situation will return to normal soon, "Hopefully this can end soon, amen."

In a disaster response, IDAI does not work alone. Collaboration with various health professional organizations has been built since previous disasters.

"In the post-disaster health service movement, from the lessons we previously learned, IDAI cannot move alone," said dr. Eka.

"We are collaborating with various other professional organizations that already have a coordination group and have been formed since the previous disaster," he continued.

In addition to challenges in the field, post-disaster conditions also affect the operation of health facilities. dr. Eka said that long queues and fuel scarcity made it difficult to mobilize health workers. In addition, they also experienced a clean water crisis due to flooding.

"Through the clean water crisis. Since yesterday the story, diesel is scarce, the queue is snaking. So we ask for help from the government or the apparatus. If you use the IDAI logo, hopefully, it can be prioritized to get fuel, because the patient is also waiting at the hospital," he explained.

"This fuel problem also occurs in Aceh. On the third day, there are still many gas stations that are closed. Electricity is also disrupted, so it requires generators, but the fuel still has to queue again," he continued.

Through all these limitations, IDAI remains committed to protecting children's health in an emergency. dr. Eka expressed her appreciation to all fellow pediatricians in North Sumatra and Aceh who continue to move.

"Sat for all members who have moved to help the affected residents." he concluded.