"The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to last for an extended period of time. Hence, we need the support of many parties," Faqih noted in a statement here on Saturday.
The IDI chairman pointed to the shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) faced by medical workers while bureaucracy had hindered the distribution of the equipment from the government to hospitals nationwide.
The IDI has received a report that cited the difficulties faced by private hospitals in obtaining PPE, as most of them were distributed to the government's referral hospitals.
To this end, the association has commended the efforts made by various parties to help medical workers in handling the outbreak, including Protelindo, a telecommunication company that had launched the campaign to fight COVID-19.
Protelindo, in cooperation with IDI and a digital healthcare service Halodoc, distributed two thousand units of PPE, two thousand full face protection gear, and 100 portable sinks to several hospitals and public health centers in Jakarta.
The hospitals that received the aid comprised Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, RSUD Pasar Minggu, RS Fatmawati, RSUD Cengkareng, RSUPN Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo, RS Persahabatan, RS Sulianto Saroso, RS Kramat 128, RS St Carolus, RSU UKI, RSUD Pasar Rebo, RS Pelni, and RSUD Tarakan.
In addition to hospitals in Jakarta, Protelindo has distributed full face protection gear to some hospitals in Central Java and Yogyakarta.
"We also distributed masks and thermometers to hospitals in West Kalimantan and Riau islands. We will continue to implement this program to support medical workers," Protelindo Director Indra Gunawan stated.
Gunawan remarked that the battle against COVID-19 could not be fought alone by the government but necessitates support from all elements of the nation.
"The public and private sector must work hand-in-hand, and it also calls for public contribution. We should prioritize national solidarity and work in mutual cooperation with the government to overcome this crisis," Gunawan affirmed.
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Translator: Indriani, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
