This Month, 5 Doctors In Lampung Died Due To COVID-19

BANDAR LAMPUNG - The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) of Lampung Province noted that in July five doctors died due to being infected with COVID-19.

"In 2021, according to our records, six doctors died due to COVID-19, of which five died in July", said Deputy Chair of IDI Lampung Province, Dr. Boy Zaghlul Zaini, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 27.

According to him, in addition to the many additional cases of COVID-19, another factor that allows a doctor to be vulnerable to COVID-19 is fatigue or carelessness in using personal protective equipment (PPE) while on duty.

"Doctors do not only practice in one place, some are in two to three practice places, they can also come into contact with COVID-19 patients while on duty and at that time they may also be careless in wearing PPE because the doctor has a high social spirit so he may forget washing hands and so on but still taking care of patients", he said.

Boy Zaghlul said that IDI had issued a recommendation to minimize the number of doctors being infected by the Coronavirus, one of which was that if they were 50 years of age and over it was recommended to open an online practice consultation.

"For young doctors, they can practice while maintaining immunity, and maintaining stress and eating on time, also don't travel to other cities", he said.

Therefore, IDI said that doctors must measure their abilities and not force them to practice in many places, especially those who are young.

"Sometimes someone doesn't measure up to his abilities, he's still young, sometimes he thinks he's in good health and does more practice in two places that make them tired, thus making them more likely to be exposed, either from patients being treated or from their environment", said Boy Zaghlul.

Based on IDI Lampung records, the five doctors who died in July due to COVID-19 were Dr. Sri Haryati (Chairman of North Lampung IDI Branch), Prof. Dr. Muhartono (IDI Regional and Metro Branch Managers), Dr. Ananda Prabowo from Central Lampung, and Dr. Sutomo. Hendra from South Lampung and Dr. Aswedi Putra from Bandar Lampung.

Meanwhile, one other doctor who died in 2021 was the Head of IDI Pringsewu Branch, Dr. Didiek Arif, who died in January.