Since 28 October, Disaster Response Unit (DERU) UGM has established UGM Emergency Clinic in order to give health service for survivors of the eruptions of Mt. Merapi. The clinic gives a 24 hour health service for two weeks beginning 28 October 2010. “The main purpose of this program is to give health services given by doctors, nurses, and paramedics for internally displaced persons following the volcanic eruptions,” dr. Sulanto Saleh Danu, Chairman of Health Team of DERU UGM, explained on Thursday (4/11).
Sulanto said that DERU UGM opened health clinics in two locations in Hargobinangun and Girikerto 1 & 2. DERU UGM also provided mobile clinic. "This clinic is set up as implementation of health service while other program such as surveillance has the purpose of monitoring vulnerable population, epidemic potential and 10 other diseases during disasters,” he explained.
To support the program, an UGM survey team has been dispatched to the field, making daily reports that will be used as inputs for the Health Team of UGM DERU during disasters and concept of post-disaster service that will be submitted to related authorities.
Sulanto added that in its operation DERU UGM works together with Health Agency of the Province of Yogyakarta Special Region for Disaster Mitigation and Main Post in Hargobinangun established by the Health Agency of Sleman Regency for daily running. DERU UGM also supports various disaster mitigation programs conducted by Provincial Health Agency, including health promotion and nutrition, environmental health and sanitation, surveillance of health services, and information provision. DERU UGM is fully supported by the health team from Faculty of Medicine UGM.