The program will be applied only for epidemiological testing, not for screening.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has revealed three strategies for coexisting with the coronavirus, which aim to balance health and economic life.

"There are several instructions from President Joko Widodo that we need to follow up immediately to live with the pandemic," he said at a virtual press conference that was broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat’s Youtube channel here on Monday.

The strategies comprise information technology-based health protocols, testing and tracing programs, as well as treatment attempts, he informed.

Referring to the health protocols, the minister said that disciplined behavior on part of the community is crucial for responding to the gradual opening of public facilities in urban areas.

"We have collaborated with several associations and organizations to start drafting the information technology-based health protocols," he stated.

Technology utilization refers to the PeduliLindung app, which will be used nationally at modern and traditional trade places; land, sea, and air transportation; workplaces; as well as tourism and culinary sites, he informed.

"It will also be used at education and religious events," he added.

Related news: COVID-19 remains real threat despite decreasing BOR: President

Furthermore, the second strategy is testing and tracking activities which will be improved to be more on target, the minister said.

"The testing and tracing will not be a mass program anymore. The program will be applied only for epidemiological testing, not for screening," he added.

The strategy will only target suspected patients and people who have come in close contact with symptomatic patients, Sadikin said.

Meanwhile, the third strategy is treatment for COVID-19 patients in all health facilities.

"The President has urged all health facilities to provide primary isolation services with basic treatments in future. Thus, hospitals are only filled with critical and severe cases," Sadikin said.

The Health Ministry is also conducting studies to focus on treating critical patients with severe symptoms in hospitals and reducing the currently high mortality rate, he added.

"We encourage primary services at the community health centers or clinics to treat people who only need isolation or elementary treatments," he said. (

Related news: Health ministry to focus on controlling COVID transmission in 2022

Translator: Andi Firdaus, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021