Assertive! IDI Says Indonesia Currently Doesn't Need Doctors From Overseas

Head of the Mitigation Team for the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI), Moh. Adib Khumaidi. (Antara Photo)

JAKARTA - Head of the Mitigation Team for the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI), Moh. Adib Khumaidi assessed that Indonesia does not need doctors from abroad, because domestic resources are still sufficient to deal with health problems in the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We don't need doctors from abroad yet. We are still capable," he said in an online media discussion held by PB IDI, quoted Monday, July 19.

According to Adib, currently, there is only a need for a pattern of empowering doctors, including mapping out where they are and what competencies are needed, both general practitioners and specialists. He hopes that the available human resources will continue to be able to meet the needs in health services.

Then, instead of bringing in doctors from outside, Indonesia needs medicines, medical devices, and oxygen whose supplies can be met from abroad. "What we need now is medicine, medical equipment, oxygen. Those three things I think need external support. But when it comes to human resources, hopefully, we are still able to continue," Adib said as reported by Antara.

Illustration (Pixabay)

Regarding the number of cases, Adib noted an increase in active cases as in the past month from 6 percent last June to 18 percent last month. This shows an increase in confirmed positive COVID-19 patients being treated or in self-isolation.

According to him, the increase in active cases shows the burden on health workers and services is getting heavier. If numbers continue to rise, the health system could collapse. "The parameters are clear, at the time of the accumulation of patients in the ER, increasing capacity to opening tents at the hospital, the current condition is with limited bed facilities, then (supply) of oxygen is lacking, the need for drugs and medical devices," said Adib

"This condition, I think the functional collapse has occurred, but we cannot state it in general terms. If we want to talk about general we must have a mapping," he continued.

Adib, as a member of IDI, said that local governments should be active in mapping their health facilities, both in terms of supply and demand, the ability to serve patients, and the need for doctors' resources. It is hoped that this will help overcome the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.