Eijkman Institute Of Molecular Biology Asked To Be Involved In Handling COVID-19 In Indonesia

DPR Commission VII held a meeting with the Eijkman Institute For Molecular Biology (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Commission VII DPR held a meeting with the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology (Institute for Molecular Biology). At the meeting, the head of the institution expressed readiness to be involved with the Ministry of Health to prevent the corona virus or COVID-19.

Director of the Eijkman Molecular Institute, Amin Subandriyo, said that his party had sent a letter to the Ministry of Research and Technology to inform the Ministry of Health about their readiness to be involved in preventing this deadly virus. However, until now they have not been involved.

"We are ready to help detect or confirm if it is necessary. So, it really all depends on the Ministry of Health until now," he said, when met at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, February 17.

This request is not without reason. As a credible institution, Amin claimed, Eijkman had been asked by the Chinese government to participate in dealing with the spread of the corona virus.

"Yes, they (China) have contacted us. But not specifically what they want to do. Just WA (WhatsApp) and I came to Eijkman. Next, we will discuss what we want to do," he said.

Amin added that this institution has long struggled with types of viruses, including corona. Eijkman also claims to be able to detect the corona virus or COVID-19 in Indonesia.

"We have been working with the corona virus for a long time, but other coronaviruses, yes. Because there are many corona viruses. There are more than two hundred. Only six can attack humans. Now there are seven, with the Wuhan one. But the other coronavirus "For humans, we can detect it," he said.

Amin explained, Eijkman has sophisticated equipment, and has been used all over the world. Therefore, his party is ready if asked to handle COVID-19 prevention.

"The Eijkman Institute has always been ready. We already have the capability. We do not procure new tools. We already have the tools and they are the most sophisticated," he explained.