Through the Mud and Difficult Medan, Aceh Medical Team Serves 23 Thousand Victims of the Flood

The medical team is conducting an examination.

JAKARTA - Entering the beginning of 2026, Aceh must face a major challenge due to flash floods and landslides that hit 12 districts/cities. However, in the midst of mud and access being cut off, efforts to save lives do not stop. The Aceh government through the Health Service and Emergency Medical Team (EMT) continues to intensify health services for thousands of refugees.

Acting Head of the Aceh Health Office and Chairman of the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), Ferdiyus, revealed that as of January 6, 2026, a total of 23,293 affected residents had received emergency medical treatment.

Medical Forces on the Front Line Full strength is deployed to ensure that no disaster victims are left without medical attention. A total of 3,916 volunteer and EMT personnel are now spread across the affected points.

"The Aceh government continues to ensure that health services continue for people affected by disasters, even though they are faced with limited access and difficult field conditions," said Ferdiyus as quoted by ANTARA.

This team is not only made up of general practitioners and nurses. The Aceh Health Office has deployed a multidisciplinary team that includes:

Specialist Doctors and Dentists.

Midwives and Nutritionists.

Environmental Health Workers (Sanitarian).

Non-health support personnel for medical logistics.

Post-Disaster Disease Awareness: From ISPA to KLBB RiskFloods and landslides always leave disease residues. Based on data in the field, the medical team recorded four health disorders that were most complained about by the community, namely:

ISPA (Acute Respiratory Tract Infection): Due to exposure to cold air and dry dust/mud.

Skin diseases: Due to direct contact with contaminated flood water.

Hypertension: Caused by post-disaster stress factors.

Digestive disorders: Due to limited access to clean water.

Not only providing treatment (curative), the Aceh Health Office also strengthens disease surveillance. This step is crucial to detect the potential for Extraordinary Events (KLB) early, such as mass diarrhea or other infectious diseases that often lurk in refugee locations.

Humanitarian Mission Breaks Isolation One of the most difficult challenges for the EMT team at this time is reaching isolated areas of landslide debris. Carrying essential medical supplies, volunteers must walk through difficult terrain to ensure that health services continue to reach communities trapped in remote areas.

Health education is also continued to be provided to refugees so that they can maintain personal hygiene (PHBS) even in emergency conditions, in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission in refugee camps.