Two Sibling Doctors Die from Covid-19 after Their Father's Funeral in Indonesia

SEMARANG, KOMPAS.com – Two sibling doctors on the frontline in Indonesia's Covid-19 fight died just days apart in Semarang in Central Java Province recently.

“They are Dr. Sang Aji Widi Aneswara and Dr. Elianna Widiastuti who are members of the Indonesian Doctor Association (IDI) in Semarang. They are siblings,” said the IDI Chairperson of Semarang Dr. Elang Sumambar on Wednesday, July 8.

Elang said that Dr. Elianna, who worked at the Halmahera Health Center died on Sunday, June 28 after receiving treatment in Roemani Hospital. She died only a few hours after her father's funeral in the morning.

“Dr. Elianna was feeling unwell after the funeral of her father who died on Sunday morning. She was immediately taken to the Roemani Hospital, she was later pronounced dead,” said Elang.

After contact tracing was conducted, it was found out that her younger brother Dr. Sang Aji was working in the Karanganyar Health Center in Tugu and his family was confirmed positive for Covid-19.

“Dr. Sang Aji’s son and wife also tested positive for Covid-19. Dr. Sang Aji was hospitalized on July 1. He died on Monday, July 6 after being treated at KRMT Wongsonegoro Regional General Hospital,” Elang said.

Elang went on to say that Dr. Sang Aji had also been assigned to treat Covid-19 patients at the Semarang Mayor’s official residence.

“Dr. Sang Aji was still young, he’s around 31 years old. He was also a volunteer to treat Covid-19 patients at the official residence of Semarang Mayor,” Elang said.

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He was then immediately buried in the Madinah Memorial Park Ungaran Cemetery under Covid-19 burial protocols.

Meanwhile, two other doctors in Jepara, about 70 kilometers from Semarang, had also died from coronavirus, said Elang. 

Dr. Ane Rovian who served at the Welahan Jepara Health Center passed away in Jepara. Dr Ane was also one of the IDI members in Jepara.

Another IDI member Dr Sovian Endin of Purwodadi died on June 8, said Elang.

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Elang hoped that no more health workers will die in the pandemic. He has asked the government to protect the health workers by conducting examination periodically.