Health Ministry to Launch Telemedicine Service for Covid-19 Patient in Isolation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin disclosed the ministry’s measures in dealing with the surge in Covid-19 patients in hospitals. He made the statement in the press conference on the Java-Bali Emergency PPKM hed virtually on Thursday, July 1.

“There are several interventions that we must make in hospitals that are under high pressure,” said Budi on Thursday evening.

One of the interventions is the implementation of telemedicine or online clinical services in areas with high Covid trends such as in Jakarta. The service will be available for patients undergoing home isolation.

“If [patients] do not develop shortness of breath, the oxygen saturation is still above 95 percent, have no comorbidities, they are better to be treated at home or at a centralized isolation center such as Wisma Atlet,” said Budi.

Patients undergoing self-isolation can obtain teleconsultation services for initial screening on moderate or severe symptoms with a doctor. Through telemedicine service, they can also obtain medicines during home quarantine.

“The doctor will review the status of patients so we can direct them to go to the hospital or not,” Budi explained.

The Health Ministry would also improve regulations so that the financing of teleconsultation services and drug packages for Covid-19 patients in self-isolation could be the ministry’s responsibility.

Read: Health Ministry, British Embassy Join Hands to Develop Telemedicine Platform

ZEFANYA APRILIA | TD