Anticipating The Spike In COVID-19, West Java Adds 2,400 Beds

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government of West Java Province has added 2,400 beds in hospitals for handling COVID-19 patients in anticipation of a surge in positive patients.

"Now at 382 hospitals in West Java, the number of patients is experiencing a surge in the number of patients, even the beds for COVID-19 are approaching 100 percent, but not from all the beds in the hospital. For example, from 500 beds, for COVID it is 20 percent or 100 beds. If all 100 are used, only 100 percent. So, not 100 percent of 500," said West Java Governor M Ridwan Kamil in a press release received in Bandung, reported by Antara, Sunday, June 20.

Ridwan Kamil, who is familiarly called Kang Emil, said that regarding the plan to add beds for COVID-19 patients, his party had visited Al-Ihsan Hospital and Otto Iskandardinata Hospital in Bandung Regency.

The governor together with the West Java COVID-19 Task Force anticipate by adding every hospital that has an increase in bed occupancy. Of the 382 referral hospitals, the occupancy rate continues to increase.

"So, at the current stage according to the COVID-19 emergency procedure, the West Java Provincial Government has increased it from an average of 20 percent to 30 percent. So in short, 2,400 new beds are being prepared," said Kang Emil.

Kang Emil appreciated the handling carried out by the Al-Ihsan Hospital which utilized the child care building for COVID-19 patients. Al-Ihsan, whose COVID bed quota is 100 percent full, plus 50 more beds, so there are still some that can be used.

"If it's still not enough, we'll think about it again," he said.

If every hospital experiences an increase in bed occupancy, even though it has been increased to 40 percent, West Java will prepare an emergency hospital to anticipate the spike.

"So the order is from the 20 percent allocated now, the policy is raised to 30 percent. If it's still not enough, increase it again to 40 percent. Until it is absolutely impossible, then we will move on to the next stage, which is making an emergency hospital," he said.

Not only that, Kang Emil will also use the new building of the Otto Iskandardinata Hospital in Soreang, Bandung Regency to be used as a place to treat COVID-19 patients.

"The plan was that COVID-19 was in the old hospital in Soreang, the Soreang general hospital was moved here (Otista Hospital). Given the urgency of the two-week stay according to emergency statistics, I suggest to the regent that this is for COVID-19 patients. Hopefully, this additional strategy can reduce pressure on hospitals," he said.

According to Kang Emil, the facilities available at the new hospital are very adequate. There is already a mattress for the patient's bed, the room is still clean.

“Because the hospital is new, the medical equipment is still not complete, but the bed facilities are adequate. On average, COVID-19 does not really need special equipment, except for the group that is admitted to the ICU. Later there will be additions from the provincial government," he said.

The West Java Provincial Government is collaborating with the Indonesian National Nurses Association (PPNI) to fill the shortage of health workers at the referral hospital for COVID-19 patients and the new hospital in Soreang.

"We had time to dismiss 500 health workers volunteers because during Eid prayers the occupancy of hospitals throughout West Java was only 29 percent, so our volunteers were sent home first. Now we will call again, because the conditions are like this," he said.

Kang Emil reminded that the conversion of beds to COVID-19 patients still had an impact on the risk of decreasing services for non-COVID19 patients, such as the speed of service and the availability of health workers at the same time.

"The risk is high for non-COVID-19 patients, especially entering the transition season, where the trend is also increasing," he said.

The governor appealed to residents to comply with the 5M health protocol. With fewer COVID-19 patients entering the hospital, the more freely available rooms are available for all patients.