Task Force Reminds Public of Medical Waste from COVID-19 Self-tests

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The COVID-19 Task Force spokesman Wiku Adisasmito reminded people who carry out COVID-19 self-tests to thoughtfully manage the medical waste. He said many people have started to do the test independently using swab kits sold on e-commerce.

“Make sure to do it properly and consider the medical waste management after using it,” said Wiku in a statement, Friday, March 18.

Self-testing is allowed following the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization or WHO. However, Wiku said the practice requires caution as it can injure the respiratory.

“Make sure the test kit purchased is officially registered and has a distribution permit from the Health Ministry to ensure its quality and accuracy,” he underlined.

Wiku said that the government welcomes various efforts that improve equal testing accessibility in the community and hopes more researchers and innovators will compete to produce COVID-19 screening and diagnostic tools.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said he would regulate the sale of COVID-19 antigen test kits sold in retail or per box in e-commerce.

From Tempo's observation in several e-commerce sites, retail antigen test kits are indeed in demand as the number of sales reaches thousands. Moreover, the price of one kit is only Rp19,000, much cheaper than tests in clinics which cost Rp40,000- 85,000 per test.

Read: Medical Waste Issue Amidst Covid-19

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH