Ministry Of Health Prepares 'Evacuation Capsules' For Patients Contaminated With Corona Virus

Evacuation capsules alerted by the Ministry of Health (Irvan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health has activated 21 evacuation capsules at a number of airports and international ports. The capsules will later be used to evacuate passengers who are indicated by the Corona virus or Wuhan flu to be taken to the nearest hospital.

Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Anung Sugihantono said this effort was made to minimize the risk of the entry of the corona virus into Indonesia. Anung added that the capsules were already in standby and ready to use at any time.

"If there is something unwanted, this capsule can evacuate to the nearest hospital. So the security is more secure," he said, during a press conference at the Ministry of Health's Office, Jalan Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Jakarta, Monday, January 27.

The Ministry of Health has also identified areas that are at high risk and are the entry points for the transmission of the virus that is said to be deadly, especially from areas that have direct access to and from China. These areas include Jakarta, Tangerang, Bandar Lampung, Padang, Balikpapan, Tarakan, Manokwari, Sampit, Bandung, Denpasar, Manado, Palembang, Surabaya and Batam.

To anticipate this if there are patients who show signs of being unwell. The Ministry of Health has prepared two hospitals (RS) that can be used as a reference for the first treatment, namely Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang and Prof. Hospital of Infectious Diseases (RSPI). Dr. Sulianti Saroso.

"The simulation has started and we have also prepared complete personal protective equipment if this has to be taken seriously," he said.

Display of Thermal Scanner at Soekarno-Hatta airport (Irvan Meidianto / VOI)

Early Prevention

Anung explained that the Ministry of Health had been implementing massive health checks using a thermal scanner at the airport arrival gate. However, most recently, the medical examination procedure was carried out individually, directly on the plane that had just arrived.

According to Anung, this kind of medical examination procedure is carried out on those who have just arrived from abroad, especially China. "As it is known that we have a thermal scanner that we use fully. But in line with the escalation, we are also currently starting to increase our vigilance at the beginning. Now it has started to enter the aircraft," he said.

Since yesterday, said Anung, this kind of health check has been carried out at Soekarno Hatta Airport. He explained that the mechanism is, if someone is indicated to be unwell, the person concerned will be directed to the airport health post to undergo an examination.

Then, continued Anung, if the person concerned is indicated as healthy, he will be given a health alert card which is valid for 14 days from his arrival in Indonesia. However, if during that time the health alert card holder shows symptoms of illness such as colds and coughs, he should be examined further.

"At Tanjung Priok (Port) it has also been implemented since yesterday, there is such a thing as a scout, usually he goes up first with the parking boat before the health workers arrive, now the KKP (port health office) friends get on first (to the ship), only when they have The clear guide goes up to take the ship to the port parking lot which has been determined, "he explained.

On the other hand, Anung explained, until now the corona virus has not been known how the transmission process is. The public is urged to continue to be vigilant and maintain health and endurance.

"Until now, the transmission process is not yet known. Meanwhile, it is still suspected through direct contact," he said.