Health Services in Sumatra Affected by Disaster Targeted to Recover 100 Percent by March 2026

Screenshot - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a meeting with the DPR in Jakarta, Monday (19/1/2026). (YouTube TVR Parliament)

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has targeted that all health services in the Sumatran region affected by the disaster can operate fully starting March 2026.

"Our next target is in March we want to recover 100 percent. So, if you come later, we have listed all hospitals, health centers, what is missing," said Budi in a meeting with the DPR in Jakarta.

Budi explained that several facilities were still needed to ensure optimal health services. One example is thousands of mattresses that were damaged by mud and needed to be replaced.

"I give you an example. For example, when the flood comes, all the ambulances are broken. So they ask for a new one, I say don't do that," he said.

To speed up repairs, Budi contacted a number of automotive companies, such as Astra, Daihatsu, and Isuzu, so that the damaged ambulances could be repaired immediately.

"The other cars are not yet finished, they are still damaged, government cars, private cars, if the ambulance is relatively now, maybe 70-80 percent can operate again," he said.

In addition to facility improvements, the government has also opened donations to meet the needs of still lacking health equipment, such as x-ray machines.

Not only that, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the houses of medical personnel and health workers (nakes) who were affected by the disaster were also the focus. Budi emphasized the importance of decent conditions for health workers so that they could serve the community to the maximum.

"Nakes must serve the community. If the nakes himself is still confused about taking care of his house, because his house is lost, or dirty, how can he work," he said.

His party has submitted a list of around 3,265 damaged health workers' houses to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs to receive priority for repair.

"Hopefully it can get priority. Because the budget is that if it is damaged small it is Rp. 15 million, given money, damaged is Rp. 30 million, if it is damaged badly it is given Rp. 60 million, but in the form of a house," he explained.

Budi hopes that all health workers' houses can be repaired before Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr, so that they can return to focusing on serving the community.