Jokowi: COVID-19 PCR Tests Still Far Below National Target
Translator
Editor
11 May 2020 12:25 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has conceded that Indonesia’s ability in COVID-19 specimen testing using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, is still far below the national target.
"This is still far from the target I asked for, (which is) 10,000 tests a day," Jokowi said in a teleconference from the Merdeka Palace on Monday, May 11, 2020.
Currently, Indonesia’s ability for specimen testing using the PCR method is still in the range of 4,000-5,000 tests per day. As a result, Jokowi has directed for the 104 test laboratories that have been made available to be put to good use.
“Currently, 53 laboratorium are conducting experiments, while 51 laboratories have yet to conduct specimen testing," he revealed.
In addition to Indonesia’s lack of PCR tests, Jokowi also evaluated the nation to need more qualified human resources. "The problem of RNA and VTM testing tools also needs to be resolved in the near future,” he added.
DEWI NURITA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)
