For Health Workers Who Have Recovered From COVID-19 Without Symptoms, The Ministry Of Health Is Asked To Immediately Work Again

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) asked health workers who had been exposed to COVID-19 in the asymptomatic category of people (OTG) to be able to work faster after recovering.

This is intended to maintain the stability of human resources in the care of COVID-19 patients, considering that currently there is an increase in cases along with the spread of the Omicron variant.

"Health workers who have confirmed COVID-19, either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, do not have any restrictions, but prioritize health workers with asymptomatic conditions to return to work early so that they can monitor patients in isolation rooms," Nadia said in her statement, Monday, February 14. .

As is known, health workers who have confirmed COVID-19, either asymptomatic (OTG) or mild symptoms with symptom improvement and fever disappearing for more than 24 hours without medication, can return to work at least 5 days after the first symptoms appear (Day 0) plus 2 x examinations. NAAT with a negative result at an interval of 24 hours.

Then, health workers at risk of close contact or exposure to COVID-19 who have received the third dose of vaccine can return to work after negative results on the second day after exposure.

However, Nadia emphasized that this condition must be based on the approval of the health worker before being able to return to work monitoring patients in the isolation room.

"We hope this effort will be prepared by every head of the provincial/district health office and the director of the hospital," said Nadia.

Furthermore, Nadia asked the provincial/district health office and all hospital directors to ensure the presence of health workers in health care facilities in their area.

This is because the high number of cases of the Omicron variant has the potential to increase the number of health workers who are also exposed to the health services where they work.

There are two strategies that Nadia suggests. Strategies to meet the needs of health human resources in contingency conditions and health worker crises can be carried out through internal hospitals and external hospitals.

The hospital's internal strategy can be in the form of setting shift schedules, mobilizing health workers from other units to assist services in COVID-19 services. It also provides shuttle transportation and accommodation for staff, reduces/delays non-emergency services, and improves telemedicine services.

"It is also necessary to involve doctors/health workers who are self-isolating without symptoms in services via telemedicine," said Nadia.

Furthermore, the hospital's external strategy is carried out by mobilizing volunteers such as Koas and PPDS, then coordinating with professional organizations in providing backup staff to help.

Then, mobilizing hospital health workers from low to high COVID-19 case areas, mobilizing final students in health education institutions, especially assisting in administration, and mobilizing health workers on duty in non-health facilities/health administration to help treat COVID-19 patients.