"During the ASEAN Summit on May 9–11 (2023), the ministry will focus on ensuring the implementation of the COVID-19 health protocols and the readiness of health service facilities," he said at a dialogue on "The readiness to conduct the 2023 ASEAN Summit,” which was followed from Jakarta on Friday.
He informed that his ministry has implemented some health protocols, including a requirement of complete COVID-19 vaccination for all delegates attending the summit. The delegates’ vaccination certificates will need to be validated through the SatuSehat application.
In addition, his ministry will carry out health screening at the airport through body temperature scans.
"If the body temperature is above 37.5 degrees Celsius, an RT-PCR test will be carried out for delegates," he said.
He informed that the ministry has also recommended the use of masks indoors during the ASEAN Summit and imposed antigen test requirements for foreign travelers (PPLN) in Labuan Bajo, with a validity period of 1x24 hours and a maximum of 3x24 hours for PCR tests taken prior to departure from the country of origin.
Speaking about the readiness of health services, he said that the Ministry of Health has provided two mini ICU units and prepared five clinics and eight mobile teams, who will be kept on standby at the ASEAN Summit location.
"Especially at Meruorah Hotel, we have prepared one mini ICU and we have also kept another mini ICU at Ayana Hotel, where most of our VVIP guests will be staying," Harbuwono added.
Meanwhile, five clinics have been prepared at hotels in Labuan Bajo, including Ayana Hotel, Sudamala Hotel, Plataran Hotel, Puncak Waringin Hotel, and Laprima Hotel, he added.
The deputy minister assured that all the clinics are ready to provide medical services to ASEAN Summit participants should they need them, both for COVID-19 symptoms and other diseases.
In addition, hospital referral schemes have also been prepared in the form of static and mobile clinics at Santo Yoseph Hospital, Komodo Hospital, and Siloam Hospital. The Ministry of Health has also involved private hospitals and the local government to ensure services for patients with heart complaints to strokes.
"We will also prepare a cardiac catheterization examination as our effort to give the best service to heart attack patients," the deputy minister said.
He informed that currently, 90 percent of the preparation for cardiac services at Komodo Hospital has been completed.
Komodo Hospital has been prepared as a referral hospital for heart and stroke patients, with cardiac catheterization being one of the services that it will provide.
"The heart catheter laboratory will be ready to use starting this Friday, and VVIP equipment has been prepared on the fourth floor of Komodo Hospital," Harbuwono added.
The main event of the 42nd ASEAN Summit is scheduled to take place from May 9–11, while the series of activities will begin after the arrival of delegations in Labuan Bajo on May 6.
On May 7–8, a meeting of delegates and a Senior Officers’ Meeting have been scheduled at Meruorah Komodo Hotel, the venue for this year's ASEAN Summit.
The agenda will be followed by the arrival of ASEAN regional heads of state in Labuan Bajo, with a total of 13 state leaders expected to land on May 9.
The main agenda for the summit will start on May 10–11 at Meruorah Hotel and will be followed by dinner and a press conference.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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