269 Isoman Patients Died, Ministry Of Health Denies Health Facilities Collapsed In The Face Of Pandemic

Funeral for COVID-19 victims (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Health has denied that health facilities (faskes) in Indonesia have collapsed in the face of the pandemic. Following the information that there were 269 self-isolated patients (isoman) who died outside the health facilities.

This is as stated by the group observing the development of COVID-19 in Indonesia, LaporCovid-19.

"If the collapse is not true, yes, it can be checked with the health facilities," said Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, to reporters, Saturday, July 3.

Regarding the 269 isoman patients, Nadia said that her party would conduct a check first. He suspects, the patients who died were caused by delays in treatment.

"It's too late, someone who can be isoman has certain conditions. It's better to go to the ER immediately, don't wait at home, okay?" said Nadia.

This is the first time that a death has occurred outside a health facility or during self-isolation. This is our release, it is recorded that at least 265 people died during self-isolation. That is how weak the guarantee for the safety of the Indonesian people is.https://t.co/SREkQUZDRo

— LaporCovid19 (@LaporCovid) July 3, 2021

Nadia emphasized that until now there are still many hospitals that treat and convert their treatment rooms to accommodate COVID-19 patients. Especially private hospitals in Jakarta.

"This means that we need the firmness of the regional head to ask all private health facilities to help in conditions like this," he said.

Previously, LaporCovid-19 assessed that health facilities in Indonesia had collapsed in the face of the pandemic. This is because 269 isoman patients have died outside the health facilities.

"Based on the results of the LaporCovid19 team's search on Twitter social media, online news, and direct reports from residents to LaporCovid-19, we found at least 269 people who died positive for COVID-19," reads a joint press statement from LaporCovid-19, ICW, and YLBHI, Saturday, July 3.

The number of 269 people who died is continuously updated based on incoming reports. Those who died outside the health facilities included those who died while self-isolating at home, while trying to find health facilities, and while waiting in line at the emergency room at the hospital. The deaths outside these health facilities occurred only during the past month.

"This phenomenon is a real portrait of the collapse of health facilities which has made it difficult for COVID-19 patients to get proper medical services," said LaporCovid-19.

"This situation is exacerbated by poor risk communication, which causes some people to avoid going to the hospital and choose to self-isolate," he continued.

In the findings, there were 269 fatalities spread across 47 cities and regencies from 10 provinces, namely DKI Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, DIY, East Java, Lampung, Riau Islands, Riau, and NTT.

The province that recorded quite a number of deaths outside the hospital was West Java. However, this number is stated they do not represent the actual condition. Not everyone reports COVID-19 deaths to LaporCovid-19.