Global Emergency, House Of Representatives Calls On Government To Increase Alertness Even Though Monkeypox Has Not Been Found In Indonesia

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox a global health emergency. The Indonesian House of Representatives appealed to the government, especially the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) to increase awareness of the spread of the disease even though it has not been found in Indonesia.

Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Charles Honoris, asked the Ministry of Health to carry out intense communication to deal with this monkeypox disease.

"Currently, cases of monkeypox have not been found in Indonesia, but the government must increase vigilance considering that it has spread to dozens of countries," Charles told reporters on Monday, July 25.

Charles considered that Indonesia must also carry out this vigilance by communicating with other countries and the WHO. This is because monkeypox cases are also predicted to occur in Indonesia.

"The Ministry of Health must communicate intensively with the health authorities of other countries and the WHO to find out the development of the transmission of this disease," said Charles.

"In addition, protocols for handling patients have to be prepared. Sooner or later this disease will likely be found in Indonesia in the future," continued the PDIP politician.

In addition to communicating with WHO and countries that have been infected, according to Charles, the government must also conduct socialization with the public. Do not let, he said, confusion and commotion in the community regarding the information on this disease.

"The government's public communication related to monkeypox must also be carried out carefully and accurately so as not to cause panic in the public. The public must also be given information so that they are ready to deal with monkeypox if the transmission is found in the country," said Charles.

Previously, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) ensured that until now cases of monkeypox had not been found in Indonesia.

"Currently, no cases (of monkeypox) have been found," said the secretary general of the Ministry of Health's Public Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi to reporters on Sunday, July 24.

Even so, the Ministry of Health began to take a number of precautions after the WHO announcement. One of them is increasing surveillance or supervision through the port health office.

"Increase surveillance capacity through the port health office to prevent monkeypox from entering," she said.

In addition, Nadia added, the Ministry of Health will also strengthen surveillance in the community and early detect wildlife such as squirrels, Gambian rats, monkeys and apes.