Erick Thohir: Emergency Hospital In Lampung Built Because COVID-19 Starts Going Crazy On Sumatra Island

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir revealed that the COVID-19 Emergency Hospital (RSD) was prepared in Lampung because available data showed that the spread of the corona virus had begun to increase on the island of Sumatra, including in this province.

"So after I communicated with the Governor of Lampung and when I saw the data showing the spread of COVID-19 on Sumatra Island began to increase, therefore the acceleration of the Emergency Hospital was carried out together," Erick, in Bandarlampung, quoted from Antara, Sunday 8 August.

He said that in addition to being with the local government (Pemda), the presence of the COVID-19 Hospital was also due to the collaboration with the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) who fully supported so that the process of forming an RSD in Lampung was faster.

"I also thank IHC and the President Director of Pertamina who continue to encourage the Ministry of SOEs by continuously providing health facilities for COVID-19 patients. Before setting up the RSD at the Lampung Hajj Dormitory, we also initiated the construction of a hospital in Pondok Gede," he said. What is done by his party is the task of the Ministry of SOEs in providing excellent service to the community.

"So the task of SOEs is not just corporations but also services to the community to maintain balance," said the Minister.

However, Erick hopes that the presence of this health facility is not to increase the number of COVID-19 patients, but rather to cope with it.

"So, as the Minister of Religion said earlier, the presence of this hospital is not to increase the number of COVID-19 patients, which means that we hope that the body will always be given health to stay away from COVID-19," he said.

Erick said that after the COVID-19 pandemic ended, the health facilities he established could be used for patients with other diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and so on, because building must be sustainable.

"So don't be like firefighters if there is an incident, we will do it but in the future we don't know. Well, we are doing this with the hope that after this pandemic ends it can be used for people who have other diseases," he said.

He hopes that the public can strictly adhere to health protocols (prokes) to avoid infection with COVID-19.

"So I hope for the community to take care of the prokes. The government is here to provide the facilities needed," he said.