Strengthening Emergency Health Facilities, Ministry Of Health Installs Starlink In Sumatra

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Health has strengthened emergency communication networks in three disaster-affected provinces in Sumatra by installing Starlink devices at health facilities, emergency posts, and a coordination center for crisis management.

This step is important considering the damage to telecommunication infrastructure that hinders logistical coordination, patient referrals, and reporting of situations in the field.

In Aceh Province, a total of 9 Starlink units have been installed in Aceh Tamiang (3 units), East Aceh (2 units), Langsa City (1 unit), Pidie Jaya (1 unit), and Bener Meriah (1 unit). One additional unit is also stationed at the HEOC Aceh Province. All devices are now fully operational, smoothing health services, reporting the situation, and distribution of aid.

In North Sumatra Province, 5 Starlink units have been installed in South Tapanuli (1 unit), Central Tapanuli (1 unit), Mandailing Natal (1 unit), and Langkat (1 unit).

Another unit is placed at the HEOC of North Sumatra Province to strengthen provincial-level coordination. Strengthening this network accelerates the flow of information, mapping needs, and the medical referral process.

Meanwhile, in West Sumatra Province, 1 unit of Starlink was installed in Agam Regency as a priority location affected by the disaster. This device ensures that communication between health teams, field posts, and coordination centers continues, so that reporting and logistics distribution are faster and coordinated.

Head of the Health Crisis Center of the Ministry of Health, Agus Jamaludin, emphasized that the installation of Starlink is a quick step by the government to ensure that crisis management communication continues even though basic infrastructure is affected by disasters.

"Communication is key in every emergency response. With Starlink, we ensure that coordination, aid delivery, and medical referrals continue to run quickly and accurately." he said, quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor field conditions and be ready to add equipment if needed to support the acceleration of disaster management.