TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several doctors active in the Covid-19 treatment across Bali and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) highlighted the drug scarcity which has pushed doctors to rely on convalescent plasma therapy in order to treat coronavirus patients.

Head of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) in Bali, I Ketut Widyasa, on Wednesday urged Covid-19 survivors to donate their blood for this exact treatment.

“The convalescent plasma therapy is very helpful in helping the recovery of other coronavirus patients,” said Widyasa in the IDI virtual press conference on August 4. “There are so many patients that need them but there are so few of them worthy for transfusions.”

His statement was echoed by NTB’s Mataram City IDI chairman Rohadi, who also encouraged survivors to donate their blood and help overcome the problem of Covid-19 drug scarcity.

Moreover, Rohadi also highlighted the problem of overworked healthcare workers and unpaid incentives are starting to take its toll. He said that the central government’s instruction to have them tested for Covid-19 at least once a week is not able to be done due to testing equipment shortages.

“The government must show some seriousness in looking after the welfare of healthcare workers. Don’t let them [fall victim to the pandemic],” said Rohadi.

Read: Covid-19 Patients Outside Java and Bali on the Rise, Says Health Official

RINI KUSTIANI