Report COVID-19: Govt Must Admit State of Emergency, Apologize to Citizens

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Irma Hidayana, one of the founders of independent data initiative Lapor COVID-19, said the government must admit that Indonesia is in a state of emergency. She also said that the government must apologize to the public for failing to handle the pandemic 1.5 years in.

"I think an apology and acknowledgment from the government is needed at this point of time, in addition to [providing] concrete solutions and assistance," Irma said in an online discussion, Monday, July 5.

Irma said that they received a lot of reports from COVID patients who couldn’t find centralized isolations, hospitals, ICUs, and oxygen supplies. As of July 4, 2021, the non-profit organization recorded that 278 people have died while self-isolating or trying to access health services.

Irma regretted how the Health Ministry denied reports that health facilities were collapsing and health workers were exhausted. The ministry had only said that health facilities were over capacity.

Irma appreciated the Health Ministry's efforts to improve services for COVID-19 patients in self-isolation. However, she asked the government to do more than just say they have converted general hospitals into special COVID-19 hospitals.

"Out there, families are struggling to get help, so they can be treated in hospitals, these two things are very disconnected," said Irma.

Irma said the government had been referring to official hospital bed occupancy data, which she said are often outdated. She asked the government not to use statistics that do not represent conditions on the ground.

"Please admit that things are at an emergency and acknowledge that the situation is chaotic. Apologize, and end all types of false publicity saying we are fine," said Irma.

Irma, a doctor in health and behavioral sciences who graduated from Columbia University, said that false publicity would only create a false sense of security among the public, putting them off guard. The people, she said, should not be blamed for not following health protocols.

"How would they obey rules if they are told that the situation is under control. What is happening now is the result of almost 1.5 years of unsuccessful effort to control the pandemic," she remarked. 

Read: Luhut Predicts Infection Rates to Start Slowing Down Next Week 

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI