Many Deaths Due To COVID-19 Have Occurred In ICU, Luhut: There Needs To Be An Increase In Hospital Management

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Policy Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the most deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Seeing this condition, Luhut said, there needs to be an increase in hospital management.

"We find that hospital management needs to be improved, especially in terms of handling COVID-19. ICU management, human resources, medicine and therapy methods," said Luhut in a press conference that was broadcast online, Thursday, September 18.

To follow up on these findings, he and his staff will hold an online meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss ICU management issues.

"We will video call with the Ministry of Health because they are preparing, collaborating with existing hospitals on how to handle the ICU. Because the high mortality rate is in the ICU," he said.

If ICU management can be improved, the death rate from COVID-19 will be controlled. The Coordinating Minister (Menko) for Maritime and Investment also said that later the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital will also collaborate with many hospitals to help improve the management of this intensive space.

According to the plan, if there is a further agreement on intensive room management at the meeting, Luhut will gather hospitals in eight priority provinces. The eight provinces in question are DKI Jakarta, West Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, North Sumatra, and Papua.

"If we have agreed tonight and tomorrow, Monday there will be a briefing of all hospitals in the first eight provinces. So that handling, ICU management, and training on human resources, and checking drugs that must be owned can be completed," he said. .

Vice Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan was appointed by President Joko Widodo to reduce the rate of COVID-19 in a number of provinces. In carrying out his duties, Luhut has 2 weeks.

According to Wiku Adisasmito, spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Luhut has a number of ways to carry out his duties. First, Luhut will synchronize data between the central and regional governments in order to make quick decisions. Because, so far, updating of COVID-19 case data between the central government has always been different from each province.

"The second is to carry out justisi operations to enforce the discipline of health protocols by using regulations for criminals who take action to act against those who violate the rules," said Wiku.

Third, Luhut will improve the management of COVID-19 patient care to reduce the death rate and increase the cure rate. The fourth is the handling of COVID-19 in a cluster in each of these provinces.

"So, the handling must be more specific in certain areas in the province," said Wiku.