"I expect that the achievement of COVID-19 vaccination rate in Jambi can be above 50 percent," Tjahjanto said after observing the national defense force and police force's independent vaccination program at the Ratu Convention Center in Jambi on Friday.
He was accompanied by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo,
He said that he expected a 50-percent vaccination rate by this week, as he believed that it was possible for the percentage to be increased further.
He also urged the regional government to prepare a centralized isolation area for COVID-19 patients and a self-isolation area for patients, irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or not.
"I believe the hard work of the national defense force and police force, the Jambi provincial government, and local governments will yield good results," Tjahjanto said.
He lauded the decline in the positive infection trend in Jambi during a meeting with the National Police chief at the Jambi Governor's official residence.
The appreciation was given because handling the pandemic requires the active participation of all parties, including the community, he said.
"High healthcare discipline and acceleration of vaccinations will decrease the trend of confirmed cases," he stressed.
Jambi Province is currently seeing some improvement in COVID-19 handling, as indicated by a downward trend in confirmed cases, patients undergoing treatment, and deaths, he said.
However, it is still necessary to continue to observe the development of real data and facts in the field, he said.
Decisions on handling the pandemic in the regions, of course, must be based on real and factual data, Tjahjanto said.
Validity of the data is very important, he said. Currently, the close contact tracing ratio still needs to be pushed to 1:15, as stipulated by the standards set by the central government, he added.
Tjahjanto also said that leadership in the field is urgently needed to provide assistance in COVID-19 handling, including tracing close contacts. The Health Office's role is still important in such efforts, he said.
"This includes vaccinations and centralized facilities backed up by the availability of healthcare workers, medications, oxygen, and services to reduce mortality," he said.
The regional government together with the relevant agencies, the national defense force, police force, National Disaster Mitigation Agency, and Health Ministry must improve communication, coordination, and collaboration in the management of the vaccination program, he added.
It will be hard to turn COVID-19 into an endemic disease without proper and synergized handling, Tjahjanto said.
"If it doesn't work, it will be difficult for the economy to rise. And there will be many people who will fall victim. And periodic evaluations must also be carried out, so that it can improve what is less than optimal, handling-wise," he remarked.
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Translator: Nanang Mairiadi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
