Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on Operationalization of Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory as COVID-19 Treatment Hospital, 9 July 2021, at Pondok Gede, Jakarta

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Peace and prosperity be upon us all,

Good afternoon,

Greetings to all of us.

This afternoon, I, together with Minister of Religious Affairs, have witnessed the completion of Hajj Dormitory which will be converted into Hajj Dormitory Hospital for handling COVID-19.

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, and all the ranks who have worked hard within the past five days to prepare Hajj Dormitory to be converted into a hospital.

I have already checked the hospital equipment, air conditioner, and then elevator for patients. I witness that everything is 99 percent ready so that tomorrow morning the Hajj Dormitory Hospital is ready for operation.

Second, I would like to invite college students, the youth, the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) team, the Integrated Health Post (Posyandu) cadre to join hands to become volunteers for COVID-19 pandemic management.

Doctors, health care workers, state civil apparatus, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) have worked around the clock since March last year until to date. For that, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude. However, it would be better if there are more volunteers from all components of the people, so we can handle COVID-19 management to the best of our abilities.

That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, Hajj Dormitory Hospital is ready for operation tomorrow morning.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (DH/MUR)