PBNU Urges The Government To Fix The National Health System

JAKARTA - The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) encourages the government to fix the national health system, learning from various problems that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

"This pandemic is real and has not ended. NU supports and accompanies the government's steps in dealing with the pandemic, from upstream to downstream," said PB Chairperson Said Aqil Sirodj at the opening of the Alim Ulama National Conference (Munas) and the NU Grand Conference (Konbes) quoted Between, Saturday. September 25.

Said Aqil explained that from the upstream side, the application of health protocols should not be slack. Even though it is currently sloping down, there is a possibility of a third wave surge as the new type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate.

The public is encouraged to further strengthen health protocols and the government also oversees its implementation.

"According to the epidemiologist, based on the three-five-month curve pattern, the spike is expected to occur at the end of 2021," he said.

From the middle side, Said Aqil said, NU supports the acceleration of vaccination so that group immunity is immediately formed.

While downstream, NU recommends that the government improve the national health system by increasing the ratio and reliability of health facilities (hospitals and health centers).

NU also encourages the government to cut the gap in the distribution of health facilities and personnel (doctors/specialist doctors, nurses, and midwives), as well as strengthen the health ecosystem, starting from pharmacy independence, adding doctors and health workers, capacity of hospitals and health centers, and production of medical devices.

"Currently, around 94 percent of medical devices in circulation are imported products. The dominance of imported medical devices marks the fragility of the national health system," he said.