TNI Commander: Increase Ability To Face CBRNE Threats

TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto reminded the Indonesian National Armed Forces that it is necessary to increase the ability to deal with biological threats, including pandemics, because they can disrupt the stability of national security.

"The TNI also needs to increase its ability to deal with the threat of CBRNE (an abbreviation for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials, ed)," said Hadi Tjahjanto while attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the RSAU Prof. Dr. Abdulrachman Saleh in Jakarta quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 9.

The TNI Commander said that the COVID-19 pandemic was not the first CBRNE threat faced by Indonesia.

"In January 2018 we were shocked by the measles outbreak that occurred in Asmat Regency and claimed the lives of dozens of children and hundreds of others had to be treated, and in 2019 we were again shocked by the COVID-19 virus which then caused a worldwide pandemic," explained the TNI Commander. .

Marshal Hadi said the impact of the pandemic not only caused millions of people to get sick and hundreds of them died, but the SARS-CoV-2 virus also affected various aspects of life.

“At its peak, all countries, including Indonesia, experienced difficulties in dealing with the overwhelming number of patients. The number of patients who are in critical condition is very large," Hadi said.

"In fact, the health industry is not able to meet the needs of medical devices, oxygen, oxygen concentrators, medicines, PPE, masks, vaccines, and so on. Hundreds of health workers also died," he explained.

Thus, the construction of hospitals that have the capacity to treat patients during an epidemic/pandemic is crucial.

The Commander said that infectious hospitals are one of the spearheads in facing the threat of CBRNE, and are at the forefront of facing the pandemic.

“The TNI Hospital must be able to answer the needs of all TNI soldiers and their families. Every soldier on duty must be supported with the necessary health facilities," said Hadi Tjahjanto.

Related to that, the construction of the RSAU Prof. Dr. Abdulrachman Saleh is one way for the TNI to anticipate the threat of CBRNE in the future.

"Professor name. Dr. Abdulrachman Saleh was chosen not without reason. He is a pioneer and multi-talented figure in the Indonesian Air Force, a doctor and an aviator," said the TNI Commander.

"Hopefully his fighting spirit can color the RSAU and animate the spirit of dedication of all health workers assigned for the sake of our beloved nation and country," said Hadi Tjahjanto.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, the TNI Commander was accompanied by the Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo and Deputy Chief of Staff Marsdya TNI A Gustaf Brugman.