Strategies Of The Minister Of Health Terawan To Face The Corona Virus Displayed In The DPR

The process of evacuating Indonesian citizens from Wuhan, China (Photo: Twitter @KemenkesRI)

JAKARTA - Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto told of the government's efforts to evacuate 238 Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Wuhan, China. This story was told during a meeting with Commission IX of the DPR, Monday, February 3.

Terawan said, 238 Indonesians were evacuated yesterday, Sunday, February 2. From China they were brought to Hang Nadiem Airport, Batam. Then from there they departed for the Raden Sajak Airbase in Natuna, Riau Islands. They will be quarantined for two weeks in Natuna.

However, a number of Natuna residents refused to use the area where they lived as an observation location for the coronavirus. As a result, residents held demonstrations by means of giving speeches and burning tires.

Terawan said, two days before the evacuation, the government conducted socialization and met with the Natuna district government secretary. The government explained to the Natuna regional government secretary the reasons and the selection of the location for the evacuation of Indonesian citizens in Natuna. The government also ensures that this quarantine process will be carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations set by WHO.

"Then the day before, we also met with demonstrators there, we tried to explain in detail, some of them understood and did not understand," said Terawan.

Furthermore, on the D-day, Terawan conducted direct monitoring of Indonesian citizens who had just arrived from Wuhan. "I got on the plane, greeted and checked one by one. And I took him to the observation room," he said.

Terawan said, according to information from the Chinese government, as many as 238 Indonesian citizens were declared healthy. "Then 4 people resigned because they felt comfortable in Wuhan, and they submitted a statement letter," said Terawan.

"And 3 Indonesian citizens who did not pass the screening from the Chinese government, the point is that those who are sick cannot leave. No matter what they want to be sick, they cannot be dispatched. Like eye pain, they cannot, because that is the provisions of the WHO," he added.

Minister of Health Terawan's Meeting with Commission XI of the House of Representatives regarding the handling of the corona virus in Indonesia (Gabriella Thesa Widiari)

He added that this morning he received a video about activities in Natuna. The video contains Indonesian citizens from China exercising together eating together. "The situation looks pleasant. Friends from the TNI and the Ministry of Health, they are all exercising, it shows they are healthy and hopefully they will stay at home for 14 days," said Terawan.

Good morning from Natuna 🌤. Have you been exercising? 🏃💦 # alertviruscorona pic.twitter.com/wyKMJHlt6l

- Indonesian Ministry of Health (@KemenkesRI) February 3, 2020

Alhamdulillah, all of our brothers from Wuhan who are currently in Natuna are in good health. Their activity this morning is sports together. # Healthies, don't forget to exercise too. Healthy greetings from Natuna 💪 # alertviruscorona pic.twitter.com/EZOLNq6FzQ

- Indonesian Ministry of Health (@KemenkesRI) February 3, 2020

"Second, I got WA from the security forces in Natuna, 'Natuna youth want to help, what can be helped.' While I answered him, 'please pray for a while.' I am better off being fair, "continued Terawan.

This video and information will be used as material for outreach to the public. Terawan said, this is at the same time to answer the challenges in facing hoaxes and viral news that are not in their portion.

"Hopefully this goes well, 14 days there, Indonesian citizens there can finish this observation period well. All my prayers, they can return to their families. I hope this can go well. Still 12 days. I will go there again. , I have to monitor it, "he said.

Meanwhile, Terawan explained, the government had prepared a referral hospital for handling the corona virus. The hospital is located according to its location, starting from the regional, provincial and national levels.

There are 100 referral hospitals. This hospital is the one that became a reference when Indonesia faced the 2007 bird flu outbreak. But, said Terawan, the government still needed to do a mapping to deal with this corona virus.

Of the 100 referral hospitals that have been prepared by the government, three of them are in Jakarta, for national referrals. Meanwhile, for references to provinces and regions, Terawan has not disclosed it.

"For the national referral hospital there are Soeroso Infection Center Hospital, Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, and Friendship Hospital," said Terawan, adding that he would immediately report all developments in the preparedness of this referral hospital. (Gabriella Thesa Widiari)