Upon arriving in Labuan Bajo, Dr. Teuku Maulana and the USK Peduli Team immediately coordinate with local health authorities at the HEOC.
LABUAN BAJO, 25 August 2026 — Dr. Teuku Maulana, a researcher from the Division of Health Crisis, Pandemic and Community Preparedness (HPCC) and Shahibul Mighvar, S.T, a researcher from the Division of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure at the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), together with the USK Peduli Team, are strengthening the post-earthquake health response in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The series of activities began on Monday, 24 August 2026, when seven USK health volunteers arrived in Labuan Bajo. Upon arrival, Dr. Teuku Maulana, who also serves as Head of the USK Peduli Medical Team, immediately coordinated the team’s participation in a meeting at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) of West Manggarai Regency.
The coordination meeting was held with the West Manggarai Regency Health Office and served as an initial step to align medical support, public health surveillance, and post-disaster healthcare needs. Through an integrated coordination mechanism, health assistance was directed according to field requirements and designed to avoid duplication with existing services.
The meeting also addressed strengthening health facilities, the availability of medical personnel, medicines, and medical consumables, and monitoring infectious disease risks. The team also considered environmental conditions, limited access to clean water, and the presence of communities in temporary care facilities in the post-earthquake health response.
Dr. Teuku Maulana and the USK medical team review radiological findings with healthcare personnel at Komodo Regional Hospital as part of the assessment of trauma patients.
On the second day, the USK Peduli Team continued its services at Komodo Regional Hospital by assisting trauma patients, including those still undergoing treatment and post-operative recovery. The USK medical team worked collaboratively with orthopedic specialists and healthcare personnel at Komodo Regional Hospital to conduct comprehensive patient assessments.
The USK Peduli Team monitors trauma patients and coordinates with healthcare personnel in a temporary post-earthquake care facility in West Manggarai.
The assessments covered the patients’ general condition, level of consciousness, hemodynamic status, pain complaints, surgical wound condition, and neurovascular status in injured extremities. The team also monitored fluid therapy and medication, provided wound care, and assessed the patients’ ability to mobilize gradually.
In addition to medical care, the USK Peduli Team guided patients and their families on post-operative care, wound monitoring, pain management, gradual mobilization, and the importance of following medical instructions throughout recovery.
The collaboration among TDMRC USK researchers, the USK Peduli Team, the West Manggarai Regency Health Office, orthopedic specialists, and healthcare personnel at Komodo Regional Hospital highlights the importance of cross-institutional cooperation in strengthening health services during disasters. The assistance focused not only on managing acute conditions but also on supporting gradual patient recovery and preventing post-traumatic and post-operative complications.
This initiative contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by strengthening healthcare services for communities affected by disasters. The collaboration among TDMRC USK, the USK Peduli Team, the local government, and healthcare facilities also reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
