Directives of President of the Republic of Indonesia On Integrated Handling of COVID-19 In Central Kalimantan Province Followed by Dialog with Participants through Teleconference Thursday, 9 July 2020 at Jayang Tingang Hall, Governor Office Complex, Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan Province
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good afternoon,
May peace be upon us all.
Distinguished Ministers attending this event, Presidential Chief of Staff, Head of the National Task Force,
Distinguished Governor and Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan, Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), Regents and Mayors attending this event, Head of the Task Force, doctors, nurses, and executives of hospitals, prominent figures, personnel of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri), Territorial Military Commander (Pangdam), and Regional Police Chief (Kapolda).
First of all, allow me to extend my highest gratitude for your hard work and dedication to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Central Kalimantan. The spread of COVID-19 throughout the country really depends on control measures conducted by regional governments. I need to remind you that Indonesia’s new COVID-19 positive cases today surge by 2,657; it is very alarming. For that reason, I need to warn Central Kalimantan administration to remain vigilant since I have received information 5 minutes ago that today this province has a total of 1,093 positive cases. Though the figure is relatively small, – in which 393 patients are getting treatment, 634 patients are recovered, while the death toll added by 66-, if it is not handled properly, management crisis is not strictly implemented, and the public is not involved to work together, the new cases will keep increase. It must be taken seriously since the virus can spread easily everywhere.
Therefore, we must share similar view that we are currently facing serious crisis. Health crisis which is compounded by an economic crisis. Around 215 countries also experience the same situation and difficulties. For example, in economic sector Indonesia’s growth in the first quarter was at 2.97, while in the second quarter Indonesia is projected to see a negative growth, at minus 3.8. The figure is only a projection since the calculation is not finished yet.
Based on the latest information from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global economic growth which was projected at minus 2.5 was revised down to minus 5, minus 6, and now minus 7.6 given its dynamic situation. Please remain vigilant. European countries for example the United Kingdom will see a negative growth about 15.4 percent, Germany will see a negative growth about 11.2 percent, France will see a negative growth about 17.2 percent, Japan at minus 8.3 percent. Be cautious, we are now addressing two different issues, health and economy which both are equally important. Both aspects cannot be separated form one another. If we only prioritize the health sector but ignore the economy, our economy will drop, people’s prosperity will decline, their immunity will also drop, which eventually bigger the change of getting infected.
Therefore, we must take equal measures for all. We cannot only solve the economic issue but ignore the spread of COVID-19, please bear it in mind. Both aspects must be mitigated well because the current economic crisis does not only disrupt financial sector as in the 1998 crisis but also disrupts people’s demand, supply, and production chain, be careful. All of us must understand the situation.
Previously, I have told regional governments, be it in province, regency, and city levels to be ready to control the crisis. Second, social assistance must be distributed immediately to the people. This is the tasks of regents, mayors, and governors to control and check the distribution. Third, economic stimulus program for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) must be well implemented. Help them through regional budgets be it budget of cities, regencies, and provincies. The Central Government also supports the program through the State Budget (APBN), banking system, and the ministries.
Once COVID-19 cases decrease, preparation to enter new normal era must be made carefully. All regions including regencies, cities, and provinces must meet the preconditions before entering a new normal. The timing is also crucial. A new normal cannot be decided spontaneously. Third, not all sectors will be reopened, there is priority. Sectors with low transmission risk will be prioritized, followed by sectors with medium risk, and high risk such as schools. Reopening schools must be considered carefully.
Therefore, I really appreciate Central Kalimantan that has conducted massive testing. However, massive testing is not enough, it must be coupled with aggressive tracing with the support from the Territorial Military Commander and Regional Police Chief to trace People Under Monitoring (ODP) and Patients Under Surveillance (PDP). Upon tracing, those showing severe symptoms will be treated at hospitals, and those tested positive yet showing no symptoms wil be isolated. As in Jakarta, severe cases will be referred to Sulianti (Saroso) Hospital, but mild and moderate cases will be referred to Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital. After two weeks and declared negative, they can go home. I think the Government has three major tasks: massive testing, aggressive tracing, and strict isolation.
We also always remind the public to wear face masks, keep safe distance, avoid crowd. This information must be disseminated continuously. The number of new cases which has increased by 1,093 people must be curbed.
Governors, regents, and mayors must make decision and policy based on scientific data. Do ask inputs from the professionals in medical field and the scientists. Do not decide something without asking inputs and using scientific data. It will be dangerous. Once again, it is not something that you can decide easily. It must be based on scientific data and inputs from scientists.
I think that is all I can say in this auspicious occasion. I really appreciated Central Kalimantan Province for the hard work but it must bring the 1,093 positive cases down. I think we can do that with support from human resources attending this meeting. If the Task Force or the Governor needs help from the Central Government, please tell me. We will help as soon as possible. If you say “We are lacking personnel”, I think the TNI and Polri can help. You can also ask for medical staff and facilities, we will try to fulfill your request.
That is all I can say in this auspicious occasion.
Thank you.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Governor of Central Kalimantan (Sugianto Sabran):
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Distinguished President, thank you for your directives. Upon your permission, allow me to moderate Questions and Answers session which will be started by participants who have joined us through teleconference from Dr. Doris Sylvanus Regional General Hospital, Palangka Raya and from Central Kalimantan Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) as an additional to regional general hospitals in order to increase capacity of isolation ward for COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Doris Sylvanus Regional General Hospital Palangka Raya, the floor is yours.
Director of Dr. Doris Sylvanus Regional General Hospital Palangka Raya (drg. Yayuk Indriati, Sp.KGA):
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Yayu. Mr. President. Good afternoon distinguished President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Good afternoon.
Director of Dr. Doris Sylvanus Regional General Hospital Palangka Raya (drg. Yayuk Indriati, Sp.KGA):
Good afternoon Mr. President. We, the Dr. Doris Sylvanus Hospital, Central Kalimantan Province, want to inform you that we are now in a microbiology laboratory of the hospital to perform reagent testing of samples collected from various hospitals in regency/city levels.
We want to extend our highest gratitude for the support of the Central Government, the regional government, the Governor, and those providing health services. Our hospital as the referral hospital in the province.
On this occasion, we confirm that all officials at Dr. Doris Sylvanus Hospital are ready to join the Government in supporting the program. However, we have experienced issue regarding length of stay of the patients. We want them particularly those with mild and moderate cases to quickly recover. On the other hand, we hardly find one certain medicine though there is a distributor for it. The medicine is Aluvia which is used for HIV treatment. We have prescribed Aluvia to moderate case patients and it can ease their symptoms.
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Governor of Central Kalimantan (Sugianto Sabran):
Distinguished President, now we move to respond to questions from representatives of medical workers in Central Kalimantan. Regarding request from Dr. Doris Sylvanus Hospital, the Provincial Task Force will write Head of the National Task Force to ask for the medicine.
First of all, we have a pulmonologist from Dr. Murjani Regional General Hospital, Dr. Efraim Bering, on the line.
Pulmonologist from Dr. Murjani Regional General Hospital, Sampit (Dr. Efraim Bering):
Good afternoon, Mr. President. Welcome to Central Kalimantan. May you always be healthy.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Thank you.
Pulmonologist from Dr. Murjani Regional General Hospital, Sampit (Dr. Efraim Bering):
I am Efraim Bering, a pulmonologist from Dr. Murjani Regional General Hospital, Sampit, East Kotawaringin. Our hospital is COVID-19 referral hospital in Central Kalimantan. Our problem is that our hospital do not have PCR testing machine. With all due respect, we want the government to help providing us a PCR testing machine along with the reagents. We have been tracing but without the machine we cannot make diagnosis. So far, we sent the samples to Surabaya and Banjarbaru.
Governor of Central Kalimantan (Sugianto Sabran):
Thank you for your question. Let us move to Dr. Erwin Kristianto from Jaraga Sasameh Regional General Hospital, Buntok.
Doctor from Jaraga Sasameh Regional General Hospital, Buntok (Dr. Erwin Kristianto):
Thank you.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good afternoon, greeting of virtue.
Thank you for the opportunity. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Dr. Erwin Kristianto from Jaraga Sasameh Regional General Hospital, Buntok, South Barito, as well as a member of COVID-19 handling team in South Barito.
Distinguished President, our hospital and health office as the government satellite hospitals have been working hard to curb COVID-19 spread particularly in South Barito. Currently, our medical workers have experienced rejections, received threat and stigma from the public, families of patients, and from the patients during their works. We have also been intimidated, directly or indirectly when we treat COVID-19 patients in South Barito, Buntok, Central Kalimantan.
With all due respect, I want to ask how the Government protects medical workers so we can carry on the Government’s mandate to provide treatment to COVID-19 patients in South Barito, and in Central Kalimantan in general.
Thank you.
Governor of Central Kalimantan (Sugianto Sabran):
Thank you Dr. Erwin. Due to limited time, we will skip the third question. Mr. President, Gen. Doni Monardo as Head of the COVID-19 National Task Force, please respond the questions. Mr. President, the floor is yours. Thank you
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
First, regarding medicine, I will check the availability. If there is stock, we will send it.
Second, regarding PCR test, it will be sent immediately. How many machines are needed? Is one enough? For hospital in Sampit? I have two, well one for Sampit? Is any other regency needs it? Oke, then one is enough.
Third, I order the Regional Police Chief to protect medical workers, doctors, nurses, and others workers at hospitals. They must be protected through concrete actions on the ground or through social media since they fight on the fronline against the virus. It is the tasks of the Regional Police and Precinct Police to give their best in protecting our medical workers, not only in Central Kalimantan, but also throughout the country.
I think that was from me, Doni can give addition to my statement.
Head of COVID-19 National Task Force (Doni Monardo):
Thank you Mr. President.
Let me add one more thing. Land and forest fires always hit Central Kalimantan every single year. Last year, Central Kalimantan is only the second (region with wild fires) after South Sumatra. Meanwhile, Central Kalimantan ranked first in peatland fires. The fires cover more than 180,000 hectares of land. That means, the fires will increase risks of deaths of four diseases. The fourth leading causes of death is asthma as the Governor mentioned earlier. Therefore, we hope those living in Central Kalimantan will work hard to prevent fires, particularly peatland fire which can ignite easily in dry season. The fires will bring danger to people infected by COVID-19.
Thank you.
Governor of Central Kalimantan (Sugianto Sabran):
Thank you Head of the National Task Force. Thank you Mr. Presdient for your directives and responses in this limited meeting. Hopefully, it can help the mitigation and prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in Central Kalimantan.
Last but not least, the development of food estate in Central Kalimantan is expected to increase people’s prosperity in Central Kalimantan in particular, and people’s prosperity in Indonesia in general.
That concludes today’s limited meeting. Let me extend my highest appreciation to President of the Republic of Indonesia, and Onward Indonesia Ministers who visit Central Kalimantan for this occasion. Thank you for your participation.
Wabillahi taufiq wal hidayah, wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Shalom.
Translated by Rany Anjany S
Reviewed by Mia Medyana B