Emergency PPKM Must Be Concrete, PDIP: Don't Be Complicated With Terms

PHOTO ILLUSTRA TION / VOI

JAKARTA - Member of the PDI-P faction in the DPR, Deddy Yevri Sitorus, asked the government to take concrete action after deciding the implementation of the Java-Bali Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM). If necessary also limit movement and isolation of other areas experiencing an increase in cases.

"Don't be too complicated with terms, the point is that vulnerable public activities including mobility must be controlled for a certain period of time," said Deddy to reporters, Thursday, June 1.

Deddy assessed that these restrictions must be followed by rapid rapid antigen testing at government expense and mandatory in areas or communities deemed necessary.

"Similarly, rapid isolation of areas with high transmission rates must be carried out in stages, starting from villages or sub-districts to sub-districts and districts or cities," he said.

Moreover, he continued, the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is increasingly worrying because the chart of infections and the death rate continue to increase significantly. In fact, almost all health facilities have reached a state of 'full occupancy', essential medicines and life support such as oxygen are hard to find in the market.

"The government should not hesitate to take any steps that must and may be taken," said the member of Commission VI of the DPR RI.

“It can be said that Indonesia is currently facing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which is quite dangerous. Especially with the emergence of new variants that are more dangerous because the transmission is very fast, the impact is fatal and it starts to attack the young age group, "said Deddy.

Deddy also encouraged the government to distribute supplements and medicines to people in need to help increase the immunity of healthy citizens. Because, he said, investment to strengthen public health resilience is also important and the cost is also much cheaper.

"Investment by providing masks, supplements such as boosters, antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins C, D and E as well as drugs that are expected to be a stronghold of the people's body such as Ivermictin, Avimac or even Avigan, according to advice from health authorities," said the legislator from the Kalimantan electoral district North of it.

In addition, according to him, education should be given to residents to maintain health protocols, and not rush to ask for treatment when tested positive. This is in line with the limited space in the hospital.

"Residents must be provided with knowledge of the steps that must be taken when they are exposed, at what level they must receive intensive care," said Deddy.

Deddy added that currently the Hajj embarkation dormitories, education and/or training centers belonging to government agencies to campuses or schools should have been prepared to deal with emergency conditions.

"Now look at it, many residents die in their homes or outside the hospital treatment room due to the limited space and beds and life support equipment needed," said Deddy.

The government, he added, also needs to set up a monitoring system for infected residents to ensure the services of health workers when they have to self-isolate. Deddy emphasized that the levels, systems and officers that have been formed through the BPJS mechanism can also be used to monitor the condition of infected residents.

So far, Deddy assessed that the government seemed late in responding to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, since last year, the government has been reminded that the government should immediately improve health facilities, create alternative isolation centers, and provide initial services for patients so that they are ready to face the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone knows, let alone learned from the second wave in China that the virus continues to mutate so we should be prepared for the worst case scenario. But I see more energy being spent on vaccines and vaccinations because of the steep curve of the virus spread at the beginning of the year. As soon as the second wave hits, we stutter," said Deddy.