JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said many residents who died during self-isolation were not only because they were not accepted by the hospital but also because they did not report their condition. He said this happened because of the social burden of people around residents who were positive for COVID-19.
"Apparently, those who are sick in many areas are still considered tainted people, convicted people, people with bad behavior," said Budi in a press conference broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Monday, July 26.
As a result, these COVID-19 positive patients are reluctant to report and result in them being late for treatment when their condition worsens.
"Therefore, friends, being sick with COVID is not a disgrace," said the former Deputy Minister of SOEs.
Instead of giving stigma, said Budi, the community should be able to help each other, especially those in self-isolation.
"Don't ignore it! Later they don't want to report it, they are late to the hospital, and that is a sign of the cause of death," said Budi. This is so that they can be tested and receive appropriate treatment.
Furthermore, Budi hopes that the public will not be afraid to run a COVID-19 test. Moreover, testing is one strategy to reduce the number of positive cases and reduce mortality.
By testing those with symptoms, health care can be carried out more quickly. In addition, the people around them can also be protected from exposure to the virus.
"So don't be afraid of this testing, don't worry about it, don't avoid it, but do it quickly if there are symptoms, especially so that we can really protect our colleagues," he concluded.
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