Indonesian Medical Body Urges Health Protocol Compliance amid High Death Toll among Doctors

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Covid-19 death toll among health workers who contracted the coronavirus in Indonesia has significantly increased, according to Adib Khumaidi, head of the mitigation team of the country's medical association.

As of 2pm of September 17, 2020, the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) mitigation team recorded that two more doctors died from Covid-19, bringing the total death toll to 117.

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“With this faster and higher fatality rate for doctors, it shows that people are still ignorant and do not abide by the health protocols,” he said in a press statement on Friday, September 18.

He added that on behalf of all health workers throughout Indonesia the IDI mitigation team understands the need for to rescue the economy. IDI, however, called on the public to be at the forefront of handling the Covid-19 by following the health protocols in their daily activities.

“This is not merely for the safety of the health workers, but also the safety of the public and those around them,” Adib said.

He said that the Covid-19 pandemic would never end without the participation of everyone.

This could also have a negative impact not only on health but also on the economic aspect in the long run. “With the high number of fallen doctors, it is a challenge in providing health services.”

“Indonesia has not even reached the peak of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. If this continues, Indonesia could become the epicenter of the coronavirus in the world, which could worsen the economy and health sector of our country,” said Adib.

(Writer: Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editor: Bayu Galih)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/09/18/10455351/117-dokter-meninggal-terpapar-covid-19-idi-masyarakat-masih-abai.