Government Prepares COVID-19 Emergency Hospitals In 7 Java-Bali Cities

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) is preparing an additional number of buildings that have been transformed into COVID-19 emergency hospitals in seven cities throughout Java and Bali.

A total of 16 of these buildings were prepared in urban areas to anticipate the need for treatment of COVID-19 patients due to the surge in cases.

"The seven areas are Jakarta, Bandung, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Semarang, Solo Raya, Surabaya, and Bali," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, quoted from the Cabinet Secretariat website on Thursday, July 22.

The buildings prepared for the isolation of COVID-19 patients include the Hajj Dormitory in Pondok Gede, which consists of five buildings that have been converted into an Emergency Hospital for handling COVID-19.

The total capacity provided is almost 900 beds, including accommodating health workers.

The Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory buildings used as COVID-19 Emergency Hospitals are Building A, Building B, Building C, Building H, and Building D5 which have been operating in stages since last Friday, July 16. There are also D3 and D4 buildings that will be used for health workers.

In addition to Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, in Jakarta, there are also Pasar Rusun Flats and Kiara Maternal and Child Health Center Building (PKIA) at Dr. National Central General Hospital. Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM).

"Pasar Rumput Flats utilizes three existing towers with a total of 5,952 beds. Tower 1 will utilize 689 units with a total of 2,067 beds, Tower 2 with 606 units with a total of 1,818 beds, and Tower 3 with 689 units with a total of 2,067 beds," Basuki explained.

Then, the PKIA Kiara Building was also prepared at the RSCM. This building will utilize buildings on floors 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 with a total of 394 beds. Expert Staff of the Minister of Public Works and Housing for Technology, Industry, and Environment.

A spokesperson for the Public Work and Housing Ministry, Endra S. Atmawidjaja said that the work at the RSCM is targeted to be completed in the next three weeks.

"Completion of the renovation of the PKIA Kiara RSCM Building will be completed in the next three weeks at the latest," said Endra.

In addition, there are also two facilities in Bali and four facilities in DI Yogyakarta. There are also three COVID-19 Emergency Hospital facilities in Bandung that have been prepared.

Meanwhile, in Surabaya, Endra continued, Indrapura Surabaya Hospital is currently being prepared to serve COVID-19 patients whose renovation is expected to be completed in early August 2021.

"The Ministry of PUPR is also preparing COVID-19 isolation and treatment facilities in Semarang and Solo Raya, which are expected to operate from Thursday, July 22, 2021," he concluded.