Jakarta, Sept. 4 -- To improve emergency medical response and coordination during the event of a megathrust, the Health Ministry hosts a national simulation in West Sumatra from August 31 to September 3.

"West Sumatra has a long history of earthquakes and tsunamis. This simulation is important to minimize victims and ensure rapid emergency response. During crises, the most important thing is speed and cross-sectoral coordination," the Health Ministry's secretary general, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, said.

In a statement here on Thursday, the simulation is a measure to foster preparedness, and not meant to scare people.

Nugraha stated that the ministry has four strategies to improve emergency medical response, ranging from extra medical p...