Indonesia Coronavirus Crisis; Private Labs Ask to be Involved

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The CoV vaccine formulation project leader at Professor Nidom Foundation, Prof. Dr. Chaerul Anwar Nidom expressed hope for the government to involve laboratories other than the one overseen by the Health Ministry in testing suspected COVID-19 or coronavirus samples or specimens. 

The professor of biochemistry and molecular biology from Airlangga University is one of the active professors who is an active researcher in the field of coronavirus researches. He and his team recently tested the use of curcumin formula - which is an active substance in “empon-empon” - on a large number of pathogens. 

“Personally, I think that the government should share samples with other organizations equipped with the understanding in the field of outbreaks and pathogens,” said the professor to Tempo.co on Tuesday, March 10.

He also implied that the government will be able to avoid releasing maligned policies if the government is willing to share the samples. 

Meanwhile, director of Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Amin Soebandrio, once echoed similar hopes regarding laboratory involvement on March 8, where he asserted the need to conduct cross-confirmation prior to issuing a public announcement. 

“At least cross-confirmation is needed prior to a public announcement. To greatly determine if a result is positive or negative,” said Amin Soebandrio. 

He also compared Indonesia’s condition to other countries affected by the COVID-19 or coronavirus such as in European countries and China, where universities and private parties are involved in the coronavirus mitigation. According to him, the Health Ministry has yet invited his organization in the national coronavirus mitigation diagnostics.

ZACHARIAS WURAGIL