COVID-19 Hospital on Galang Island Ready Next Monday

President Jokowi on Wednesday (1/4) inspects the COVID-19 Emergency Hospital on Galang Island, Batam, Riau Islands Province. Photo by: BPMI

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (1/4) inspected the COVID-19 Emergency Hospital on Galang Island, Batam, Riau Islands Province. The construction of the facility is based on the President’s directive issued in early March this year.

“It will be ready no later than Monday,” the President told the reporters after the inspection.

The hospital is the second emergency hospital built by the Government for COVID-19 treatment after the Wisma Atlet located at Kemayoran, Jakarta. The President said that the facilities were prepared in anticipation of the upcoming situation.

“I have previously said that this place is built in anticipation of the upcoming situation. We hope we never use it. After (the outbreak) ends, the facilities will serve other functions. The plan is that the place will be used for infectious diseases hospital and research center,” the President said.

For the record, the Emergency Hospital on Galang Island has three zones. Zone A is designated for supporting facilities for medical doctors and paramedics who treat COVID-19 patients, while Zone B is provided for medical facilities, isolation and observation for the patients.

Zone C is a reserved area for the development of other facilities in the hospital, including the research center. The Emergency Hospital is planned to have a capacity of 1,000 beds for COVID-19 patients.

After inspecting the hospital, the President headed to Batam Center Port located on the north coast of Batam Island, Riau Islands Province, before heading back to Jakarta. (BPMI/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana