Pediatricians warn of widespread sleep disorders, PTSD risks, and strained healthcare system
The devastating floods and landslides that swept across Sumatra in late 2025 did not only destroy homes and infrastructure. They also left deep psychological and physical scars on thousands of children, prompting urgent action from Indonesia’s pediatric community.
Alarming Psychological Impact on Children
The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) in West Sumatra reported that approximately 65 percent of children in Palembayan sub-district, Agam Regency, experienced sleep disorders following the disasters that struck parts of Sumatra after November 25, 2025. The finding highlights sleep disturbance as one of the most common psychological effects on children after natural disasters in Indonesia.
Screening Reveals High Risk of PTSD
According to Asrawati, Chair of IDAI West Sumatra, screening conducted on December 22, 2025, involved 61 children aged between 3 and 18 years. Results showed that 40 children experienced sleep disorders, while 21 did not. Further assessments using the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale found that 49 out of 55 children screened, or 89 percent, were at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anxiety Disorders Also Detected
Beyond sleep problems, IDAI identified anxiety-related conditions among affected children. Out of 15 children screened for anxiety, two were diagnosed with anxiety disorders. One child was confirmed to have panic disorder, while another showed signs of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. These findings point to a significant psychological burden requiring early intervention.
Nationwide Pediatric Response Deployed
In response to the escalating health crisis, the Indonesian Pediatrician Association dispatched 70 pediatric specialists to disaster-hit areas across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Eka Airlangga, Vice Chair of IDAI North Sumatra, said the deployment aimed to provide emergency medical services for children in locations including Medan, Langkat, Sibolga, Central Tapanuli, and Aceh Tamiang.
Physical Illnesses Add to the Burden
Field teams reported that acute respiratory infections were among the most common post-disaster illnesses. Pediatricians also treated children suffering from dermatitis, skin infections, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. Medical teams extended care to pregnant women and caregivers dealing with hypertension, digestive disorders, arthritis, and psychological distress.
Healthcare Facilities Severely Affected
Aceh Tamiang emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas, with 15 community health centers and one regional public hospital nearly non-functional. IDAI prioritized strengthening healthcare services in this region, entering the area as soon as access reopened on December 4, 2025. Since late November, IDAI teams have provided medical services to approximately 4,575 children across affected regions.
Scale of the Disaster Remains Massive
According to the National Disaster Management Agency, ecological disasters across 52 regencies in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra resulted in at least 1,106 deaths, more than 7,000 injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. Damage included 147,236 houses, 967 educational facilities, 219 healthcare facilities, and 145 bridges.
The Sumatra disasters have exposed the dual crisis facing affected communities: physical devastation and a silent mental health emergency among children. For Indonesia and neighboring Singapore, the situation underscores the importance of cross-border humanitarian awareness, early psychosocial intervention, and resilient healthcare systems that prioritize children’s long-term recovery.
Sources: EN Tempo (2025) , EN Tempo 2 (2025)
Keywords: Child Trauma, Sleep Disorders, PTSD Risk, Disaster Response, Indonesian Children
