Residents Welcome Gaza Residents Being Treated At RSKI Galang

BATAM - Residents of Galang District, Batam City, Riau Islands welcomed the government's plan to make Galang Special Hospital for Infection (RSKI) a temporary treatment place for 2,000 Gazans, Palestinians who were victims of war.

When ANTARA monitored the current situation at RSKI Galang, a number of residents claimed to know information related to the treatment of Gazans in the area from social media.

"Yes, I know about Gaza wanting to be treated here (RSKI Galang), see the news on TikTok," said one student when met on Galang Island, Friday, August 8.

According to the village, the Galang residents are very open if later Gazans are victims of the war, they really arrive at RSKI Galang.

Head of the Security and Order Section (Kasitrantip) of Sijantung Makmur Village said local residents were familiar with the existence of this service. Because previously RSKI Galang had also been appointed as a place to treat COVID-19 patients.

"The term is, we only accept COVID-19 patients, especially are war victims," said Mak, Mak's nickname.

Mak assessed that the government directly appointed Galang Island in a humanitarian mission, helping war victims.

The appointment was an honor for Galang residents to welcome the government's plan.

"Yes, our area is appointed directly by the central government, this is an honor for us," he said.

He said there had been no official directive from the sub-district, nor from the Batam City Government regarding the plan to treat Gazans at the Galang Hospital.

They obtained this information apart from social media as well as from the Sijantung Village Head who shared news about the Galang Hospital via WhatsApp village group.

"The official order from the sub-district head to the sub-district does not yet exist, we get this information apart from social media, also from the village head who divides into WhatsApp groups," said Mak.

In August 2024, Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak accommodated the people's desire in Galang District to maximize health services at RSKI Galang not only to serve COVID-19 patients.

From April 12, 2020 to February 14, 2021, RSKI Galang has served 7,223 COVID-19 patients, both positive and suspected.

To this day, according to Koramil 04/Galang officers, RSKI Galang is still serving the treatment of local residents facilitated by PT MEG, which is the manager of the national strategic project (PSN) Rempang Eco City.

However, the Koramil did not give permission for the media to enter the Galang RSKI area before obtaining permission from the Kodim to cover the condition of the Galang Hospital after being appointed by the central government as a temporary treatment place for 2,000 Gazans who were victims of war.

The latest atmosphere, seen from the front area of the Galang Hospital, looks neat and well-maintained, a number of tubers and red and white flags are installed in the front yard of the hospital in order to welcome the 80th Indonesian Independence Day.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto gave directions for Indonesia to help with treatment for around 2,000 Gazans who were victims of war, with the medical service location planned to be on Galang Island, Riau Islands.

Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi in Jakarta, Thursday (7/8), said that the health facility on Galang Island was chosen because it was considered adequate for this need. This island has previously functioned as a refugee location and a center for handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Galang Island has a hospital and supporting facilities that can be used to treat injured victims due to conflict, including accommodating family members who accompany patients during treatment.

RSKI Galang is about 50 km from the center of Batam City, in the hospital area there are also temporary offices of Koramil 04/Galang and Galang District Office.