Surabaya Hospital to Move Covid Patients to Galang Island if Full
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14 July 2020 13:04 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian official said that the Surabaya Hospital will move Covid-19 patients to the Special Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Galang Island, Riau, but only if the hospital reaches its maximum capacity.
"As long as there is space in Surabaya, [they] stay in Surabaya," Agus Supraptom for deputy for health improvement coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, said on Tuesday, July 14.
According to Agus, the patients' psychological factors is also a consideration for the transfer plan. "Psychologically, patients and families prefer like to be closer," he said.
Agus said Galang Island Hospital also serves patients from other provinces. "Now, most of the patients treated at Galang Hospital are from Riau Islands," Agus said.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said he planned to relocate Surabaya Covid-19 patients to Galang Island Hospital, worried that hospitals in Surabaya would be overwhelmed.
"This is to ease the burden of hospitals in Surabaya, especially Dr. Soetomo Hospital. Patients with mild or moderate conditions will be sent to Galang Island using transportation prepared by the Air Force," Muhadjir said on June 30.
Read also: COVID-19 Update: 1 Million New Cases in 5 Days
ANDITA RAHMA
