"Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic is a preparation for future health disasters, and PMI documented it in these two books to strengthen collective readiness with the government, partners, and the entire community for a better Indonesian health architecture," PMI Secretary General A. M. Fachir stated here on Monday.
Fachir emphasized that the PMI has captured the best lessons from the pandemic and through Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, the organization strives to unite collective capacities to prepare for potential future pandemics and other health crises.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is over. However, this is a good start for all of us to unite strength through valuable lessons and best practices to support the government in building more resilient health architectures," Fachir remarked.
He explained that by strengthening capacity and collaboration during its COVID-19 operation from 2020 to 2023, the PMI had reached 38.5 million people in 34 provinces in Indonesia, with a total assistance value of around Rp101 billion (US$6.5 million) been distributed.
"PMI also conducted vaccinations and convalescent plasma (therapy). It was something new, and we took a lot of lessons from the implementation of convalescent plasma," he remarked.
He stated that from the pandemic, the PMI has learned to handle crises quickly.
"One of the lessons learned from SEA Leader, Singapore, was the rapid and quick response. This is an important lesson for us. PMI learned that we must be at the location of crisis before six hours. This has been done by (PMI offices) in provinces, districts, and cities and by volunteers," he stated.
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Translator: Lintang P, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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