JAKARTA - Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) reminded the government to increase vigilance by taking various anticipatory steps to overcome the spread of the monkeypox epidemic. Although this disease has not been confirmed in Indonesia, monkeypox has spread to 88 countries.
"Given the cases that have spread in 88 countries, this means that monkeypox has reached the terraces of our country. So there is no choice, we must respond by taking anticipatory measures", said Member of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Rahmad Handoyo, to reporters, Thursday, August 11.
Moreover, continued Rahmad, the increase in monkeypox cases which has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global health emergency is very significant. It was recorded that on July 23, 2022, the number of cases was more than 16,000 people from 75 countries, with 5 deaths.
"From the data we received a month before the determination, the number of cases was only 3,040 people from 47 countries. Well, on August 6, 2022, it turned out that the cases had reached 28,220 and 88 countries were confirmed. This means, in one month, there is an increase of more than 100 percent in the number of cases and the number of targeted countries", explained Rahmad.
"Therefore, like other countries in the world, Indonesia must increase vigilance, take various anticipatory steps, prevent the spread of monkeypox so that later if detected in us it will not spread further", he continued.
The PDIP politician assessed that there are several urgent anticipatory steps to be taken immediately. First, the public must be educated about what and how monkeypox actually is.
"The public must understand the symptoms of the monkeypox outbreak, how it is transmitted, and so on. The public should also know when to consult with health workers", he said.
Second, is the understanding of health workers about monkeypox. Including increased laboratory detection capabilities. “The health workers must understand very well what monkeypox is so that later on, he can diagnose it correctly. Maybe it is also necessary to consider that the health workers are given training, specifically about monkeypox", he explained.
As another anticipatory measure, the Central Java legislator said the government must pay attention to the availability of appropriate medicines.
"We've had a bad experience when COVID-19 raged some time ago, hospitals were unable to serve patients. There was also a shortage of medicines. Things like that should not be repeated", said Rahmad.
The government, he added, must also establish a multi-sectoral coordination system or mechanism to strengthen all aspects.
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"I think, with these anticipatory steps, we will be better prepared to control the monkeypox epidemic if it is detected in us later. But of course, we still hope that the epidemic will not enter the country", said Rahmad Handoyo.
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