UNAIR team gives treatments to flood victims

The emergency medical shelter established by Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has begun assisting residents of Aceh Tamiang impacted by severe flooding and landslides. The medical shelter is located at the Abah Clinic site in Kuala Simpang, which had been unable to operate after its facilities and medical equipment were damaged by floodwaters. Hospitals and community clinics across Aceh Tamiang have faced similar devastation. Flooding and mud rendered numerous medical tools unusable, leaving the region without functioning health services. In response, UNAIR quickly deployed a joint medical team from the Faculty of Medicine, UNAIR Hospital, and Dr. Soetomo General Hospital (RSDS).

After arriving on December 6, the UNAIR team immediately set up the medical shelter and began providing basic medical services. Care and medications are being delivered by a team made up of an anesthesiology specialist, an orthopedic surgeon, and three medical residents. Since yesterday, residents affected by the disaster have started visiting the medical shelter to receive medical evaluations and treatment.

Among the cases handled by the UNAIR team was an infected wound caused by fragments of glass and metal. “We performed debridement and treated the wound professionally using local anesthesia,” said Dr. M. Hardian Basuki, SpOT (K), a physician at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital and a lecturer at UNAIR’s Faculty of Medicine. Infected wounds are common in post-disaster settings, especially when residents must navigate areas filled with sharp debris, contaminated surfaces, and have limited access to timely medical care.

Alongside Dr. Hardian Basuki, the medical team includes Dr. Airi Mutiar, SpAn (K); Dr. Arya Wiradewa; Dr. Yehezkiel Edward; and Dr. Zulfikar Loka Wicaksana. Additional medical personnel and supplies will be deployed soon to meet the growing healthcare needs of affected communities.