ACEH - Community health conditions are often a continuing challenge after natural disasters occur. The environment filled with mud, dust, and flood debris can trigger the emergence of various diseases, especially respiratory disorders.
This is the situation that is currently being faced by Aceh Tamiang Regency after the late-November 2025 flood that hit the area.
The Aceh Tamiang Regency Health Office recorded a total of 14,143 cases of Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ISPA) occurred in the period from December 2, 2025 to February 19, 2026.
"So, the cumulative report is 14,143 cases of ISPA. This is the cumulative number, it is moving," said the Head of the Aceh Tamiang Health Office, Mustakim, when met at his office.
He explained that the environmental conditions in December and February showed a significant difference. In the first month after the flood, mud still covered many corners of the city so that the dust flew more severely. This is suspected to contribute to the high incidence of ISPA at that time.
Now, most of the mud has been cleaned and cordoned off so that dust exposure is no longer as intense as it was a few months ago. "If you look at it in comparison between December, January, and February, I believe that February will definitely be lower than December," he said.
However, the data per month has not been fully detailed because the record has been done cumulatively.
To reduce the rate of case addition, the health service together with volunteers distributed masks to the public. This effort was also strengthened by the presence of the Emergency Medical Team (TCK-EMT), a professional medical team formed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia which was deployed to provide rapid and coordinated health services in disaster-affected areas.
In addition to distributing masks, education on clean and healthy living behaviors has also been intensified, including a hand washing with soap (CTPS) campaign. "We are trying our best to suppress this figure so that it does not move faster, does not increase faster. This is what we are worried about," said Mustakim.
In addition to ISPA, another issue of concern is the increasing population of mosquitoes in a number of affected areas. To anticipate the risk of diseases such as dengue fever, his party has requested additional assistance in the form of fogging tools and drugs.
"Fogging drugs will be exhausted in the next two weeks. So we have sent a letter to the Ministry of Health," said Mustakim.
With a combination of environmental management, distribution of protective equipment, and support for health workers, local governments hope that the post-flood health impact can be controlled and does not develop into a wider crisis.
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