Padang, West Sumatra (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry is preparing and training reserve health workers to assist medical teams in the event of a natural disaster, including megathrust earthquake.
"These reserve health workers are trained health volunteers who can be mobilized at any time in an emergency," the ministry's Secretary General, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, noted in Padang, on Wednesday.
Several agencies participated in the national megathrust preparedness simulation in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Wednesday. They included the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Army (TNI), and the Police.
Nugraha said these reserve health workers will not only focus on helping the community in Padang but can also be mobilized to other areas in need in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami.
As another form of mitigation, his party is preparing an internationally certified emergency medical team, ready for deployment anytime to provide on-site health services.
The Health Ministry has established a head emergency operations center, to act as the brain of coordination during a crisis. Its existence is vital for optimal cross-sector coordination.
"During a crisis, coordination is essential to help us act according to the conditions at the time, and not act independently," Nugraha remarked.
On that occasion, he mentioned that health workers are the frontline in dealing with critical situations, especially for natural disasters. Hence, their role is crucial in handling and overcoming the critical post-disaster situation.
"The health sector plays a crucial role as the frontline in victim care and the post-disaster recovery process," he emphasized.
Nugraha stated that the geographical location of West Sumatra in the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it highly prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
He noted that the simulation was not intended to frighten the public but to raise awareness and knowledge regarding the importance of preparation and mitigation for natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
