Indonesia launches air-ambulance pilot to reach remote patients in Sumatra
President Prabowo Subianto announced a pilot air-ambulance service in Lampung’s Pesisir Barat Regency to evacuate patients from hard-to-reach areas.
A pilot air-ambulance operation was carried out in the Pesisir Barat Regency of Lampung province on Sumatra, testing helicopters and light planes that can land on grassy, sandy or riverbank sites. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that difficult terrain and inadequate roads should no longer block urgent medical care, especially for pregnant women who have died after traveling seven to nine hours in labor. He pledged the creation of a fleet of air ambulances to ensure swift evacuations.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained the initiative will complement 22 regional hospitals being built across underserved regencies and municipalities in 2026, reinforcing the state’s presence in remote corners. The program aims to cut response times and save lives in Indonesia’s far-flung areas.
Why it matters
Improving emergency transport could dramatically reduce preventable deaths in Indonesia’s remote regions.
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