Health Ministry Deems Medics' Death Links to Improper Use of PPE

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The secretary of the Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical and medical devices directorate general, Arianti Anaya, assessed that one of the attributable factors that caused the death of medical workers who treated COVID-19 patients was the improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“One of the possible factors is the improper use of PPE, and the PPE may not meet the standards,” said Arianti during a press conference broadcasted on BNPB’s Youtube account on Friday, April 17.

Arianti explained that PPE was designed as a barrier to penetration of substances, solid, liquid, or airborne particles and to protect the wearer's body from infection. Using protective gear could effectively keep the body safe from viruses and bacteria.

The PPE for the handling of COVID-19 included medical face masks, gloves, coveralls (protective clothing or surgical gowns), protective eyewear, headcovers (hood), shoe covers, and waterproof boots.

According to Arianti, the use of PPE depended on the healthcare facilities, the profession, and the activities of the medical workers. For example, general healthcare workers who work at a low risk of infection can only wear surgical masks, gowns, and gloves.

Doctors, nurses, and laboratory workers who work in a patient's intensive room and must take non-respiratory samples, she went on, are obliged to wear a headcover, protective eyewear, surgical mask, surgical gowns, and disposable gloves.

Meanwhile, healthcare workers who work at a high risk of infection, such as those treating COVID-19 patients must wear complete PPE. “Headcover, face shields, protective eyewear or goggles, N95 masks, coveralls, surgical gloves, and anti-slip boots,” the Health Ministry official underlined.

FRISKI RIANA