Ministry Of Health Prepares Health Facilities To Serve Patients With Acute Hepatitis

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Vaccination of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Siti Nadia Tarmizi ensures that health facilities (faskes) at the central to regional levels are ready to serve patients suffering from acute hepatitis.

"As for the national reference, we have prepared it at the Sulianti Saroso Hospital. But in each of our provinces there are hospitals under the Ministry of Health that are also ready to provide treatment," Nadia said as quoted by Antara, Friday, May 13.

Nadia said the government at the central level had prepared RSPI Sulianti Saroso as a national referral hospital.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health has also collaborated with the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) and a network of pediatric specialists in all districts/cities to monitor and follow further developments in the management of acute hepatitis.

Meanwhile, to carry out management of cases of acute hepatitis with severe symptoms, the Ministry of Health provides examinations through four laboratories that can be used as references, namely RSPI Sulianti Saroso, National Laboratory at Research and Development of the Ministry of Health, National Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Prof. Dr. Sri Oemijati and the laboratory in Nusantik.

"These are some of the laboratories that we have prepared if the regions will send patients," he said.

Then at the regional level, Nadia admitted that she had coordinated with the regional government to prepare a regional general hospital as a reference for handling acute hepatitis cases in their respective regions.

The preparation of health facilities up to the regional level is an effort to save patients from the worst possible acute hepatitis and accelerate treatment through early detection.

According to Nadia, acute hepatitis cannot be underestimated and every party must continue to be vigilant in providing protection for children. Because, until now the cause or type of virus that makes acute hepatitis appear is still unknown.

The Ministry of Health asks all parties to implement a healthy and clean life through diligent hand washing, eating and drinking cooked food, complete immunization of children with hepatitis B vaccination including wearing masks because transmission is thought to come from the air.

“We are recommended to immediately get hepatitis B vaccination in children and the most important thing is early detection. Therefore, if parents see a child with complaints of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, immediately take him to the Puskesmas. Don't wait for your child to get yellow first," said Nadia.