Jakarta, Aug. 18 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Health has activated nine emergency operations centers across East Nusa Tenggara following a major earthquake, prioritizing the rapid restoration of regional hospital services to handle expected surge capacity.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Tuesday that authorities are focused on returning all hospitals in affected municipalities to full operational status within one week.

Priority is being given to essential care, including trauma surgery, maternal and pediatric services, and hemodialysis.

"The main priority is ensuring all hospitals in affected districts and cities can return to optimal function to anticipate a potential surge in patients," Sadikin said.

The ministry has depl...