Deep Condolences From IDI, 640 Doctors Died During The COVID-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA - The Chief Executive of the Mitigation Daily for the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI) Mahesa Paranadipa said that the number of doctors who died during the COVID-19 pandemic increased to 640 people.

"Previously, we had announced that there were 598 medical colleagues (who died), in August we updated the figures with a high number of 640 people who have died," Mahesa said in a webinar, reported by Antara, Wednesday, August 4th.

Thus, there has been an increase in the number of doctors who died as many as 42 people since the end of July. The deaths of 42 doctors were spread across nine provinces in Indonesia, namely East Java, Central Java, West Java, DKI Jakarta, North Sumatra, Bali, East Kalimantan, Lampung, and Gorontalo.

Furthermore, Mahesa said that based on monthly data, the number of doctor deaths from August to the 3rd was seven people.

Meanwhile, in July, the number of doctors who died reached the highest number of 199 people in a month. Meanwhile, in June, the number of doctors who died was 52 people. Thus, according to him, it can be said that there was a decrease in the number of doctor deaths compared to two months ago. However, Mahesa said the decline should not make IDI careless to monitor the condition of the doctors.

"We from the mitigation team of the Indonesian Doctors Association need to continue to monitor the condition of our medical colleagues in several areas," he said.

Mahesa said the decline in the number of doctor deaths actually occurred in line with the current decline in daily positive cases of COVID-19.

He hoped that the Level 4 Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) could be implemented more effectively so that daily cases would decrease, thus saving the lives of health workers.

"Hopefully, colleagues, health workers who serve in health services remain optimistic about providing services with good stamina, so that their safety and health can be maintained," said Mahesa.