Someone Should Wait One Week To Check For COVID-19, Is This Evidence Of Government Readiness?

President Joko Widodo (Instagram / @ jokowi)

JAKARTA - The government, through the mouth of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) directly, claims to be ready to face the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19. Jokowi said the government had increased readiness for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Today we have a story that shows Jokowi's claims are just plain talk. The government is not ready, even from medical treatment.

We got this story from one of our sources. For convenience, we disguised his name as G. Monday, March 16, G arrived at the Gatot Subroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD) at around 13.30 WIB. Together with his cousin and aunt, G headed to the location for the COVID-19 examination which is in one of the hospital buildings.

It was not difficult for G to find the registration counter. All he had to do was find a crowd of people with masks. G arrived at the check-up booth and found dozens of people already sitting neatly on iron chairs waiting in line. In another corner, G saw another line forming a "U".

"There were a lot of people there, about 50 people. No one wanted to register in line, but gathered around the counter officers," said G to VOI, Monday, March 16.

G also joined the crowd, hoping he would get a turn to register so he could get his body checked immediately. Because, his body condition was bad enough. Gie experienced dizziness and diarrhea, some of the symptoms that could indicate COVID-19.

A few moments later, it was the turn of G and his cousin to register. A woman wearing a headscarf asked her to fill out a registration form immediately. Then, he took a pen and filled it. However, there were irregularities when reading the writing on paper forms. The date on the paper indicates that the inspection will take place on March 26.

In other words, the new G will be examined next week. Surprised, G immediately asked one of the seven officers at the counter. The officers explained that the large number of patients made G have to wait in line for the examination. Even when G, a journalist, shared the history of his interactions with the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi, who was recently announced as positive for COVID-19.

"Absolutely not tested. Asked about contact history with anyone or not. Just asked to fill in the waiting list and it was full until March 27th. I was told to come back again on March 26," said G.

There is upset. However, G chose to follow the procedure. Next, he and his cousin and aunt decided to go home. However, when he got home, G was curious and tried to contact the Central General Hospital (RSUP) Friendship which was also designated as a referral hospital for handling COVID-19.

Similar, though not the same. From the Friendship Hospital, G received an answer that the government referral hospital could not accept registration for the COVID-19 examination on the grounds that it was closed. "I couldn't check with me there either, the reason was closed. What should I do if I do this?" said G.

We remember Jokowi's statement at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, last Friday, March 13. On that occasion, Jokowi said that handling was carried out seriously. Regarding medical steps, all patients who have had contact with a positive patient with COVID-19 must take precedence.

"The government continues to increase the readiness and resilience of our country in facing this pandemic. It is no longer an endemic but a pandemic," said Jokowi at that time.