Minister Of Health: Treatment Of Health Workers Exposed To COVID-19 Must Be Prioritized

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JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said he was sad to see more and more health workers being exposed to COVID-19. However, the Minister of Health also admitted that he was relieved because currently the severity of COVID-19 symptoms in health workers is on average lighter than before.

"Many of our health workers have also been affected. I am frankly sad, but on the other hand I am also relieved. Compared to January-February, there are currently more people who are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms," Budi said in a virtual press conference, Friday , June 25.

However, Budi did not deny that there were still health workers who were exposed to COVID-19 and had severe symptoms, even to the point of death. "The saddest thing for me is that a health worker died," said Budi.

Recently, a volunteer health worker at the Kemayoran Athlete Wisma COVID-19 Hospital named Liza Putrie Noviana died due to exposure to COVID-19. Liza has been in the ER since June 3rd. Then, on June 8, his condition worsened.

Liza's condition continued to worsen, so she had to use a respirator. So he had to undergo intensive care in the ICU of Friendship Hospital. Until finally, he died on Thursday, June 24.

Therefore, Budi instructed all hospitals to prioritize handling COVID-19 for exposed health workers.

"I have instructed the hospital that they must prioritize health workers. If there are health workers who are affected, it must be prioritized so that they can be served as well as possible," he said.

Minister of Health Budi also admitted that he was often asked about when the COVID-19 pandemic would end. He said he couldn't answer. Because, whatever the pandemic condition depends on the attitude of the people.

"It is difficult to answer with certainty when this pandemic will end. Because after I saw the pattern of this pandemic, it all depends on us. How long this pandemic will depend on us, how many cases will increase depends on us. How many people are admitted to the hospital Health workers who are sick also depend on us," explained Budi.