Jokowi's Steps To Face The Lack Of Availability Of Personal Protective Equipment For Medical Workers

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The lack of availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel is a problem in dealing with the corona virus or COVID-19 outbreak.

The lack of PPE availability is also a problem, not only in Indonesia, but also in the needs of 180 countries around the world.

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo said that the government had obtained as many as 105 thousand personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizers, and others. This PPE will soon be distributed to emergency response areas.

"Alhamudulillah, on Saturday, yesterday, we prepared another 105 thousand PPE which today will be distributed to all hospitals in the country," he said in Jakarta, Monday, March 23.

Of that amount, said Jokowi, a number of PPE had been divided into smaller amounts to be distributed to several regions. For DKI Jakarta, it gets an allocation of around 45 thousand units.

Then, 40 thousand units will be distributed to three regions, namely, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Bali. Furthermore, another 10 thousand units will be distributed to areas outside Java. "10 thousand (personal protective equipment) again as backup," said Jokowi.

Today, the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo conducted a survey of the Athlete's House. He said, this place was ready to become an emergency hospital to handle patients with the corona virus or COVID-19. He said that after seeing the facilities and infrastructure there firsthand.

"I need to convey, this Athlete's House has a capacity of 24 thousand people, which currently has been prepared for 3 thousand patients with a room area that has been arranged with a good management," said Jokowi.

In this emergency hospital, all placement of medical devices for patients is in accordance with international standards to prevent the spread of the virus. Likewise, the room or facilities and inscriptions for medical personnel are arranged by prioritizing their health.

With all existing facilities and infrastructure almost complete, this emergency hospital will be used for patients infected with COVID-19 at the earliest in the afternoon, or Monday, March 23.

"I also see that the facilities and infrastructure are ready, both for patient treatment rooms, both ventilators, all ready, PPE is also ready," said Jokowi.