Dozens Of COVID-19 Cases At PON Papua, LaporCovid-19 Regrets Limited Hospital Facilities

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Coalition of LaporCovid-19 residents highlighted the limited health facilities in Papua Province, after the findings of dozens of COVID-19 cases in the XX PON there.

A member of LaporCovid-19, Bima Arkana, said the government needed to find a solution to the lack of health care facilities in Papua. Because, it is feared that there will be a spike in COVID-19 cases after the Papua PON event.

"What we are focusing on is related to health facilities and infrastructure in Papua. Will it be able to accommodate if there is a spike in COVID-19 cases in Papua?" Bima said when contacted on Wednesday, October 13.

Based on data compiled by LaporCovid-19, hospitals that are referred to for COVID-19 patients are still class C and D. Only hospitals in Jayapura have class B status.

"In terms of very limited facilities, this will affect hospitals to serve COVID-19 patients," said Bima.

Then, the availability of health workers in Papua is also limited. He gave an example, there are only 21 general practitioners at the Mimika Hospital, 2 internal medicine specialists, 2 surgeons, 2 pediatricians, 2 obstetricians, and 2 dentists.

Then, at Merauke Hospital there are only 27 general practitioners, 2 internal medicine specialists, 3 surgeons, 3 pediatricians, 2 obstetricians, and 1 dentist.

Bima said that the government should be able to anticipate the handling of COVID-19 cases when holding sports events. Because, reflecting on the Tokyo Olympics some time ago, Japan also experienced an increase in cases.

"Therefore, the government must also prepare a special strategy to prevent a continuous increase in COVID-19 cases," said Bima. "Of course, the 83 positive people must be traced properly, then the committee also needs to carry out treatment, namely quarantining them," he explained.

For information, out of 83 people who were exposed to COVID-19 in the middle of the XX Papua PON, athletes were dominated. While the rest, consisting of officials, referees, and journalists who are doing the coverage.

Of the total cases found, 72 percent of cases came from athletes, 23 percent of officials, 1.5 percent of coaches, 1.5 referees. Several sports athletes who were quite exposed to COVID-19 were 9 athletes in judo, rollerblading, motocross, archery, and cricket.