Ministry Of Health Prepares Routine Activities For 238 People Observed In Natuna

Illustrated photo (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health has prepared a number of observation scenarios for 238 Indonesian citizens who are in Natuna. They came from Wuhan, China and are now quarantined in Natuna.

Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health, Anung Sugihartono, said that these Indonesian citizens would be observed for 14 days. Every day, there will be medical personnel examining them.

"Health checks are carried out twice a day, in the form of temperature measurements," said Anung in Jakarta, Monday, February 3.

Apart from that, a number of daily activities were also prepared for them. Among other things, joint sports and other artistic activities. This activity aims to monitor the development of their immunity.

After the observation period is complete, and not a single Indonesian citizen is identified to have symptoms of the corona virus, they will be sent home. However, if the opposite happened, the medical staff would take the next step, but Anung did not elaborate.

"So in general, 14 days is considered sufficient for health observation. Because it has gone through two steps. Check the same and here, and the incubation period we have scenarioed. However, if in 14 days there are one, two or so people showing symptoms, of course the scenario is will be different, "said Anung.

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

Furthermore, he added, President Jokowi had already held a cabinet meeting to discuss other scenarios if further handling was needed. One of them is about the readiness of a number of hospitals to deal with the virus.

Of the 100 hospitals that were asked to be places for treatment, only 93 have returned self-assessment to the Ministry of Health related to readiness on the side of Human Resources (HR), as well as facilities and infrastructure. However, only 26 hospitals have fulfilled all the aspects that have been determined.

"There are 26 hospitals with complete human resources and have carried out simulations on the handling of bird flu in their areas. A total of 26 hospitals have 52 isolation rooms with a total of 113 beds which are dedicated to serving emergency diseases," said Anung.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with Commission IX of the DPR, today, Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto explained that the hospital that was used as a reference was once a reference when Indonesia faced the 2007 bird flu outbreak.

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.