Ministry Of Health Affirms That COVID-19 Cannot Be Treated Like Common Flu

ILLUSTRATION DOC. VOI

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Mohammad Syahril said that the treatment of COVID-19 such as the usual Influenza disease cannot be carried out. The reason is that there has been no official statement from the World Health Organization (WHO).

"The WHO has declared a pandemic. Until now there has been no statement regarding the revocation of the pandemic," said Muhammad Syahril at a virtual press conference Road to 3rd Health Working Group (HWG) reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 18.

The statement refers to news coming from one of the countries in Asia, namely Thailand, which is preparing to treat COVID-19 like normal influenza starting in October 2022.

Syahril, who also serves as the President Director of RSPI Sulianti Saroso, said the decision to treat COVID-19 was the policy of each country.

"That is the consideration of each country and according to the conditions of the country," he said.

In Indonesia, Syahril said, they are still being careful in implementing COVID-19 control policies, including easing health protocols.

Evaluation of the handling of COVID-19 on a regular basis is carried out through discussions with experts and across ministries/agencies.

"Indonesia is being careful and gradual, of course. Like yesterday the easing of masks (outdoors) in a month and turning them back again (using masks indoors and outdoors)," he said.

According to Syahril, the self-isolation policy for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms will continue to be implemented in order to suppress the transmission rate of transmission.

"With isomanism, we reduce transmission. Developed countries are also still doing their own isomanism, such as in the United States, if it is positive, then do not leave the isolation room for 5-7 days," he said.

On the same agenda, Epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia Pandu Riono said Indonesia does not need to be talkative about other countries' policies in responding to the pandemic.

"Indonesia does not need to imitate the policies of other countries," he said.