Gov’t to Provide Chloroquine for Covid-19 Treatment

President Jokowi delivers his press statement after inspecting Athlete Village, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Monday (23/3).

In a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in Indonesia, the Government has announced plan to supply chloroquine.

“Chloroquine is a medicine produced in Indonesia, by state-owned pharmacy company Kimia Farma,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said after inspecting Athlete Village, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Monday (23/3).

According to the President, chloroquine is the second line medicine since the main medicine or antivirus for the disease has yet to be found.

“Based on other countries’ experience, chloroquine has a positive effect on covid-19 patients,” he said, adding that the President, this medicine is not an over-the-counter product and needs a medical prescription.

The Government will provide 3 million chloroquine, he added.

“Medical staff will provide the medicine for Covid-19 patients who are in the hospital,” the President added.

For the record, the Government has also prepared avigan as an alternative for covid-19 patients, which is reportedly effective in fighting the disease.

“Besides chloroquine, a number of countries have also used avigan for Covid-19 patients. The Government has imported 5,000 packs of avigan while ordering 2 million more. There are also 3 million packs of chloroquine available,” he said. (HIM / UN / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas