Reflecting on the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Ministry of Health Holds an Outbreak Management Simulation in Labuan Bajo, NTT

Simulations of disease events have the potential to be carried out in Labuan Bajo, NTT, Thursday (26/10/2023). (ANTARA/Fransiska Mariana Nuka)

NTT - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) held a simulation of dealing with diseases with the potential for an outbreak in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, Thursday, October 26.

Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, said that the simulation was carried out to evaluate the contingency plans that had been prepared to deal with potential outbreaks of disease.

"This year we see the potential in Labuan Bajo as a super priority area for tourism, so we need to prepare for events that might occur in the future," he said when delivering an online address at the opening of the simulation, reported by Antara.

Maxi said that the COVID-19 pandemic provided valuable lessons in efforts to increase preparedness for facing outbreaks.

"In our experience, we are among the countries that are quickest in handling COVID-19, as well as vaccination, with one capital, namely cooperation capital," he said.

The simulation begins with the entry of a ship from a country where the disease is transmitted with a quarantine signal in the form of a yellow flag.

The ship's captain conveyed information about the ship's arrival to the coast radio station officer that a crew member was sick.

This information was forwarded to the Labuan Bajo Port Health Office (KKP), which then requested further information about disease symptoms, carried out an assessment, and directed the ship to dock in the quarantine zone.

After that, the team carried out established procedures for handling potential outbreaks of disease.

The Ministry of Health carries out simulations of prevention, detection and response to potential outbreaks of disease at regional entry points, including ports, airports and state land border posts, together with all relevant stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Regent of West Manggarai, Edistasius Endi, emphasized the importance of health capital in regional development, including the development of the tourism business sector.

"Starting today we are campaigning 'Don't be afraid to go to Labuan Bajo' because the health sector is very adequate," he concluded.