KSAD Asks TNI AD Hospital To Report Needs For Handling COVID-19, RSPAD Needs General Doctors

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Andika Perkasa asked the Indonesian Army's health facilities and hospitals throughout Indonesia to report the need for supporting the handling of COVID-19.

"Report all the needs for medical devices and health workers that support the handling of COVID-19. This is a shared responsibility in dealing with the increasing number of COVID-19," said TNI General Andika Perkasa, quoted by Antara, Friday, July 9.

The Army Chief of Staff holds regular teleconferences with the Heads of Health of the Regional Military Command, the Head of the TNI AD Hospital, and related ranks to receive information and provide direction in handling COVID-19. The availability of hospitals and medical personnel on duty is starting to find it difficult to handle patients whose numbers are increasing every day.

During a teleconference, the Head of the RSPAD, Lt. Gen. Dr. Albertus Budi Sulistya, reported to General TNI Andika Perkasa that the availability of beds at the RSPAD was increased to 381 units with the addition of a field hospital.

However, the RSPAD asked for additional support from general practitioners because many health workers were exposed to COVID-19.

“For doctors, especially general practitioners, we have to prepare replacement staff. If it was possible not too long ago there was a Sarcab for doctors, even those who have been placed in battalions, we can recruit them again to increase the strengthening of general practitioners in the RSPAD," said the Head of the RSPAD.

General Andika Perkasa also received reports from the Head of Level II Hospital Ridwan Meureksa and Level IV Hospital of Cijantung, regarding the room conversion plan for COVID-19 patients and about support for equipping medical devices and health workers.

In addition, the Head of Health for Kodam lIl Siliwangi, Head of Health for Kodam IV/Diponegoro, Head of Health for Kodam V/Brawijaya also provided reports on the availability of beds for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in several hospitals in each region.