When The Government Is Deemed To Have Failed To Handle The COVID-19 Crisis And Is Urged To Apologize

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - In his tweet, Monday, July 5, President Joko Widodo asked the public to stay at home and stay away from crowds. This, according to Jokowi, can help health workers dealing with COVID-19.

"With unity, we will go through this difficult time together," said Jokowi via his Twitter account @jokowi.

There is no better place right now than at home and away from the crowds. In addition to protecting families and the environment, it also helps health workers who are struggling to deal with Covid-19 patients. With unity, we will go through this difficult time together. pic.twitter.com/kgRVoo5IhD

— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) July 5, 2021

In fact, the appeal for people to stay at home is not enough. Tighter restrictions on community activities in the Java-Bali emergency PPKM and extension of micro-PPKM outside Java-Bali are also not sufficient.

The government, in a statement, admitted that it had instructed hospitals to convert more treatment beds and special ICUs for COVID-19.

However, in his report, LaporCovid-19 volunteer initiator Irma Hidayat admitted that his team had found it very difficult to find a hospital that still provided beds for confirmed coronavirus patients.

"We are flooded with messages from residents asking for help to get medical services. But, for the most part, 90 percent of it doesn't work. Now there are too many morbidity and mortality rates that have actually been prevented," said Irma in a virtual discussion, Monday, July 5th.

Not to mention, the government is still adamant about the bed occupancy data they collect. In fact, LaporCovid-19 found data delays regarding the availability of isolation beds and the COVID-19 ICU. He gave an example of the availability of beds on the official channel of the DKI Health Office, namely. http://eis.dinkes.jakarta.go.id.

In the site, listed a number of beds available in several hospitals. After the LaporCovid-19 team confirmed to the hospital, it was full.

"The hospital beds in the field are full. But the data still exists and the government uses this data, data that is only statistical figures. Not data that reflects the situation on the ground," he said.

Therefore, Irma urged the government to apologize to the public for handling the COVID-19 pandemic inappropriately.

As is well known, the number of COVID-19 in Indonesia is soaring. The addition of new daily cases in a row hit a new record. Many hospitals are no longer able to accommodate COVID-19 patients. Until, oxygen availability is running low.

"I think an apology and acknowledgment of the current government is needed. Please acknowledge this emergency and chaotic situation, apologize, and provide concrete assistance," said Irma.

Proof that the state failed to protect the people from corona

Researcher Institute for Research, Education, and Economic and Social Information (LP3ES) Herlambang Wiratraman revealed three facts that prove the government failed to protect the people from the surge in COVID-19.

First, the surge in cases and the ongoing increase in COVID-19 deaths. Plus, with the outbreak of a new variant of COVID-19 in Indonesia.

"The number of daily cases these days has increased sharply, accompanied by the reality of a high death rate. This has not been reminded by many parties. This has been warned by many parties, pressures even for locking or pulling the emergency brake from experts and figures," said Herlambang

Second, current health care facilities, according to Herlambang, can be said to have collapsed or collapsed. Many hospital admissions today are no longer able to accept COVID-19 patients, so rejections occur everywhere.

As a result, said Herlambang, many COVID-19 patients whose health conditions are getting worse due to not receiving health services. In fact, not a few people who tested positive for COVID-19 died.

"Many people who should have received special isolation room services, but did not get access. So, it is not surprising that we suddenly found the fact, based on data from LaporCovid-19, 265 self-isolated patients died," said Herlambang.

The third fact is the failure of the state to protect the people is the high number of health workers who are exposed and die. The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) noted that as of 27 June, 405 doctors had died.

"The numbers have really increased sharply. As of June 1 to 27, 31 people have increased. So in a month, there are 31 more people. The report from the Indonesian National Nurses Association also stated that as of June 28, 326 nurses had died," said Herlambang.

"So, these three facts alone are actually more than enough to say the state failed to protect its people," he continued.