60 Percent of Expectant Mothers in A West Java Women's and Children's Hospital Contract Covid-19: Senior Minister

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said that nearly 60 percent of pregnant women in the Women's and Children's Special Hospital (RSKIA) in Bandung city, West Java have tested positive for Covid-19. 

Muhadjir said that expectant mothers have an increased risk of developing severe Covid-19 given their vulnerable condition and could face a significantly higher risk of severe maternal and newborn complications.

During his visit to the hospital Special Hospital for Women and Children (RSKIA) in the Indonesian city of Bandung in West Java on Wednesday, Muhadjir said that nearly 60 percent of pregnant women in the hospital were exposed to Covid-19.

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"In the RSKIA almost 60 percent of pregnant women contract Covid-19. This data shows that Covid-19 does not discriminate as it even poses a risk to a baby in the womb," said Muhadjir in a statement on Thursday, June 17.

Throughout 2021, the minister said, 400 pregnant women were suspected of Covid-19 and 260 others have tested positive for Covid-19 at RSKIA Bandung alone. The hospital is one of the Covid-19 referral hospitals in West Java following a gubernatorial decree.

Greater Bandung - comprising Bandung city, Bandung regency, Cimahi city, and West Bandung regency - has also been assigned a Covid-19 alert, given the high spike in cases.

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"I hope with the current RSKIA condition, which has filled more than 80 percent of the bed capacity for Covid-19 patients, can get additional assistance from the central government, especially from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)," he said.

Meanwhile, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, or popularly known as Emil, said his party is currently preparing around 3,000 beds for all areas of West Java.

Emil urged the public, especially those who would travel to Greater Bandung, to postpone their visit to the area.

(Writer: Deti Mega Purnamasari | Editor: Bayu Galih)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/17/12110461/muhadjir-sebut-hampir-60-persen-ibu-hamil-di-rskia-bandung-idap-covid-19.