More than 46,000 people in 11 villages of Banda Aceh's Kuta Alam sub-district, Indonesia, can now enjoy improved health care thanks to World Vision's contribution to the Kuta Alam community health centre or "Puskesmas".

World Vision handed over a new pathology laboratory, a psychological trauma counselling centre, and accommodation facilities for two on-site doctors and four nurses at the Kuta Alam clinic compound during a ceremony on Friday 13 October.

The December 2004 tsunami took the lives of 17 of the health clinic staff and their families, and severely damaged the building, destroying all medical equipment and the local staff quarters. For this tsunami-affected community, the local health clinic plays an important role treating up to 100 patients a day and providing accessible and inexpensive health care with some services offered free of charge.

Accompanying her mother to the clinic for treatment after a motorcycle accident, Faizah says the clinic provides good service even to those who can't afford to pay.

"Some of the treatments in the clinic are free and I think that is part of the government's effort to increase its service to the community," Faizah said.

World Vision provided more than Rp 5 billion rupiah (US$500,000) to fund the renovation of the Puskesmas and the purchase of new medical equipment. In implementing the program, World Vision cooperated with the Banda Aceh Health Department and local NGO The Source.

"We are very pleased to hand this project over to the health department and we know that the staff here will serve the Kuta Alam community well," said World Vision's Program Director Mr David Taylor.

World Vision's support has included provision of examination equipment, office furniture, computers, a water tower, new gardens, hospital beds, and pharmaceuticals. Past support for the clinic has funded an electro-cardiograph machine, surgery instruments and two ambulances.

"The facilities and equipment in the Puskesmas are much better now than they were before the tsunami," said the head of Kuta Alam Puskesmas, Dr Cut Rildawarsawati. "We have a lot of computerised equipment that is capable of detecting and treating diseases so we can alleviate more of the pain and suffering of our patients. Previously, we often had to refer patients with minor illnesses to other hospitals or labs as we had no equipment."

World Vision began restoring and improving basic health services for Aceh's tsunami-affected communities in January 2005. To date, the organisation has spent more than US$1.8 million (Rp 16 million) on funding health reconstruction projects in Aceh.

As part of these efforts, World Vision has supported a number of local hospitals providing 20 ambulances, 250 hospital beds, pharmaceuticals and major medical equipment.

"We have also built four health clinics and provided and equipped two mobile health clinics and trained 530 community health workers on standardized treatment protocols, essential drug lists, maternal child health monitoring and Posyandu supervision," David Taylor said adding "we have also assisted sub district health authorities to revitalise more than 160 health activities posts or 'posyandu' in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, and Lamno, benefiting thousands of mothers and children."

The handover ceremony was attended by World Vision's Tsunami Response Director of External Relations Mr Eddy Sianipar, the head of Kuta Alam sub-district Mr M. Dahlan and the Head of Banda Aceh's Department of Health Mr Marzuki.

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