Oxygen Scarcity, UGM Assists Shelters And Treatment Services For COVID-19 Patients

Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Yogyajarta (Doc. UGM)

YOGYAKARTA - Gadjah Mada University (UGM) responded to the surge in positive COVID-19 confirmed cases by preparing hundreds of shelters, oxygen assistance, and support for COVID-19 patient care services.

UGM Director of Partnerships, Alumni and International Affairs, Danang Sri Hadmoko in Yogyakarta, Friday, said UGM had prepared 136 rooms at Wisma Mardliyyah Islamic Center, UGM as a shelter for COVID-19 sufferers with mild symptoms.

"Thanks to the support of donors, partners, and friends of UGM, there are now 200 beds, 136 sets of folding tables and chairs, 136 32-inch smart TVs, and 136 refrigerators. Hopefully, they can be used soon", he said.

Not only that, but UGM has also helped prepare oxygen supplies in hospitals, especially Sardjito Hospital and UGM Academic Hospital. It is hoped that starting next week there will be a regular supply of oxygen to back up the regular supply at the hospital.

"Delivering oxygen to hospitals and helping to prepare shelters and their equipment is the contribution of partners, alumni, and donors", said UGM Chancellor Prof. Panut Mulyono as reported by Antara.

Gas cylinders. (Intermediate Doc)

According to Prof. Panut, the shelter that has been prepared is managed like a hospital by providing health workers with standard care, providing medicines, as well as programs that can accelerate the healing of COVID-19 sufferers with mild symptoms.

Besides MIC, the shelters provided by UGM are student dormitories, Center for Agrotechnology Innovation (PIAT) UGM, Wanagama, and the Geology Laboratory dormitory in Bayat, Klaten.

He said that the External Commission of the UGM Board of Trustees also played a very important role in raising aid for the handling of the COVID-19 emergency.

UGM Chancellor Secretary, Gugup Kismono, added that the role of the COVID-19 Task Force in coordinating UGM's contribution was hoped to make services easier for UGM residents and the wider community. Service coverage is not only in Yogyakarta but also in other areas such as Klaten, Central Java.

"The dormitory facilities at Wanagama have also been re-prepared for isolation and treatment for people with mild symptoms for residents who live in Gunung Kidul. This hostel has been used by the local government and the community for isolation and treatment", said Gugup.

Previously, UGM Residence which manages 8 dormitories with a capacity of 2,617 beds and 1,399 rooms has also been used as a shelter for COVID-19 sufferers.

UGM Residence Main Manager, FX. Pri Joewo Guntoro said that since March 2020 UGM Residence's various facilities and human resources have been actively assisting the UGM COVID-19 Task Force, both in the form of infrastructure and socialization as part of the current Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) management.

"Especially for the two UGM student dormitories with a total of 495 beds, 19 percent of the total capacity has been used for self-isolation", said Guntoro.

According to Guntoro, UGM Residence is also working with Wisma Kagama to provide a shelter for health workers and doctors in charge of dealing with COVID-19 by preparing 31 rooms with 62 beds.