The Indonesian Navy has deployed the KRI Dr. Soeharso-990 hospital ship to Manggarai in East Nusa Tenggara to support post-earthquake response efforts following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. Acting Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BNPB) Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Berton SP Panjaitan announced on Sunday that the vessel successfully arrived at Reo Port in Manggarai District after completing its voyage from Surabaya.
Medical Operations and Treatment Aboard KRI Dr. Soeharso-990
As of Saturday, August 22, the hospital ship had already treated 21 patients, according to Berton SP Panjaitan. The initial patient group included individuals requiring fracture surgery, laceration treatment, outpatient care, and three inpatients. All medical services provided aboard the vessel are completely free of charge and prioritized strictly based on medical needs.
The 122-meter-long floating medical facility is outfitted with comprehensive onboard capabilities. According to Berton SP Panjaitan, these include an emergency room, an intensive care unit, an operating theater, a clinic, a pharmacy, a laboratory, and dedicated treatment rooms. Crew preparations also involve setting up two separate treatment rooms with 20 beds each, maintaining distinct facilities for male and female patients. Additionally, the vessel features a helicopter landing deck designed to streamline medical evacuations from remote, hard-to-reach areas.
Healthcare Coordination and Hospital Recovery Targets
Medical operations on the ship are driven by a joint medical team combining personnel from the Indonesian Navy and the Ministry of Health. Available treatments span general health checks, wound care, surgical procedures, and emergency interventions. Government officials intend for these deployed assets to guarantee that residents in affected zones receive prompt and appropriate medical care.
Prior to the arrival of the naval vessel, the Ministry of Health activated nine Health Emergency Operation Centers (HEOCs) to tighten coordination and monitor conditions across the region. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated on August 18 that restoring all damaged hospitals in affected districts and cities to full operational capacity remains an immediate priority. This push aims to prepare local facilities for a potential surge in patient volume.
The government has set a target for all earthquake-affected Regional General Hospitals (RSUD) across East Nusa Tenggara to resume basic services within a single week. Officials have specified that these resumed services will focus heavily on trauma surgery, maternal and child healthcare, and hemodialysis. Meanwhile, related data from BNPB highlights the broader toll of the disaster, noting that the Flores earthquake damaged 1,378 schools and impacted 177,678 students, while the Indonesian Red Cross dispatched 33,947 relief items to the region.
Did You Know? The KRI Dr. Soeharso-990 spans 122 meters in length and features an integrated helicopter landing deck specifically designed to carry out rapid medical evacuations from remote disaster zones.
Outlook for Regional Healthcare Recovery
As relief operations continue, health authorities are likely to maintain heightened coordination through the activated Health Emergency Operation Centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary function of the KRI Dr. Soeharso-990 in East Nusa Tenggara?
The vessel serves as a hospital support ship deployed to Manggarai to provide post-earthquake medical care, including fracture surgeries, emergency treatments, and outpatient services.
Are patients required to pay for medical care aboard the hospital ship?
No, all medical services provided by the joint Navy and Ministry of Health team aboard the ship are completely free of charge.
What is the government’s timeline for local hospital recovery?
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the government is targeting all earthquake-affected Regional General Hospitals in NTT to resume basic services within a week.
Worth a look