They do not have a second to spare at the Dolo Community Health Centre.

The clinic, which lies nine miles (15km) south of Palu, finds itself on the front line after Indonesia's devastating earthquake and tsunami. The staff treat hundreds of patients a day.

People waiting for consultations list ailments that are both varied and completely typical of those trying to survive without basic requirements like clean water and fresh food.

Image: The staff at Dolo Community Health Centre treat hundreds of patients a day

Some had gastroenteritis - others were suffering from trauma and hypertension - and the ad-hoc team at the clinic did its best to treat them all.

Clearly, this disaster has touched everyone in the region - and that includes the people who work at the Dolo Clinic.


Some 72 medical personnel were based here before the earthquake - but only two came back to work in the days that followed it. Now, an international NGO (non-governmental organisation) called Project Hope is trying to help them out.

Image: Dr Alia Budi has been helping victims of the earthquake and tsunami

We watched as Dr Alia Budi and members of this US-based organisation speedily erected a consultation room in the ruins of a village hall outside Palu. As she stopped to catch her breath, I asked her how they were coping when most of clinic's regular employees had not come back.

"Well, we [have] big appreciation for the two staff members [who have returned]," she said.

I asked her: "You have managed with two [staff members] out of 72?"

She replied: "Yes, hopefully, with luck, we've managed."

Image: The Indonesian government says it has 'enough personnel' to deal with the crisis

Some of the clinic's doctors and nurses died in the disaster and Dr Budi said others decided to flee.

"If I was in the same situation, I might do the same," she said. "Some of them [are] going out of Palu because there is no water, no electricity - so maybe that this reason (sic)."

International organisations like Project Hope offer services this country desperately needs but Sky News has learnt that the Indonesian government wants foreign aid workers and NGOs to leave.

A directive posted by the government's disaster agency states: "Foreign NGOs who have deployed its foreign personnel are advised to retrieve their personnel immediately."

Image: Thousands of people are still feared missing

This is a serious problem for international organisations like the Gift of the Givers foundation from South Africa.

Like other foreign NGOs, it was invited to assist by the Indonesian government eight days ago and the foundation managed to mobilise 27 search and rescue and medical specialists in a matter of hours.

However, the group has spent the past three days in a modest hotel compound in Palu and they have been told they are not supposed to leave the premises.

Team leader Ahmed Bham sounded frustrated when we spoke.

"It is very difficult to tell international teams arriving here, when you have already encountered massive costs... and then say to international teams that they will be recalled," he said.

Image: NGO team leader Ahmed Bham expressed his frustratration

"It doesn't make sense at all. If you need boxes moved or aid carried, just let us know. We will distribute it. We have good medicines with us, we have the stuff they need here."

In a statement, the spokesman from Indonesia's ministry of foreign affairs told Sky News: "We have enough personnel to do it ourselves."

But the authorities do not know the real death toll, which some independent analysts have placed at more than 10,000 - and the government and their domestic partners are clearly struggling to meet the public's needs.

It seems however, that officials have prioritised national pride.