JK: Jakarta Needs 500 Convalescent Plasma Donors Per Day

PMI Central Chairman Jusuf Kalla accompanied by PMI Central Secretary General Sudirman Said (Photo: Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna/Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Center Jusuf Kalla (JK) said the need for convalescent plasma donors from COVID-19 survivors in Jakarta is estimated at around 500 donors per day to accelerate the healing of patients infected with the SARS CoV-2 virus disease.

"Now we have around 100 donors every day, which we need 500 (donors) in Jakarta per day," said Jusuf Kalla when releasing a fleet of convalescent plasma donors at the PMI Central warehouse in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Monday, July 12.

The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for 2004-2009 and 2014-2019 said that one of the obstacles was the lack of survivors to donate their convalescent plasma.

Meanwhile, the facilities for convalescent plasma donors in Jakarta, he continued, reach eight units, which per day can produce 10 donors, so that the average production amount reaches around 80 convalescent plasma donors.

For this reason, PMI cooperates with the private sector, one of which is the Bluebird transportation service company, which will pick up and pick up convalescent plasma donors, especially in the Jakarta and surrounding areas.

The free social service was marked by the signing of a collaboration between PMI Pusat and Bluebird.

JK accompanied by the Secretary General of the Central PMI Sudirman Said and the ranks of the transportation company then released the blue colored fleet to pick up COVID survivors to donate their convalescent plasma. At the release of the fleet, as many as 10 vehicles were deployed to initiate pick-up operations in the DKI Jakarta and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, Bluebird Group Holding President Commissioner Bayu Priawan Djokosoetono said the program was part of a sustainable social responsibility program.

Previously, his party also deployed a fleet to provide services to residents affected by COVID-19 whose vehicles and drivers were equipped with standard procedures for handling COVID-19.

For this convalescent plasma donor pick-up service, his party will prepare a fleet as needed.

"Currently we are also assisting donors for PMI who need convalescent plasma donors so that hopefully this assistance can have an impact on Jakarta and Indonesia," he said.