On 5 February 2020, WHO joined Ministry of Health to review readiness for novel coronavirus at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and RSPI Sulianti Saroso in Jakarta. The joint visit is part of ongoing activities to ensure readiness in Indonesia, as confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to climb globally.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the primary airport of the Jakarta metropolitan area on the island of Java. Every year, the airport serves millions of domestic and international travelers arriving and departing from Jakarta. WHO and MoH representatives reviewed the facilities and met with the frontline health workers of the port health office. These workers have been at the forefront of readiness, detecting travelers with symptoms as well as providing appropriate health education on the COVID-19, since the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) was declared. The visit confirmed the strong commitment of the staff and highlighted the importance of vigilant practices in screening for any suspected COVID-19 infected people, particularly given the high volume of people arriving to Indonesia through the airport.
Caption: WHO Representative to Indonesia, Dr N. Paranietharan, and Brigadier General (Rtd-TNI) Dr Alexander K. Ginting, Special advisor to the Minister of Health with port health office staff from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
The team further visited the RSPI Sulianti Saroso, a designated hospital to receive suspected COVID-19 patients located in North Jakarta. The hospital was the initial referral health facility following the past outbreak of SARS, Avian Influenza and Diphtheria cases in Jakarta. This referral infectious disease hospital is well-equipped to handle an infectious disease outbreak adequately with the appropriate facilities and measures in place, in accordance with WHO guidelines.
The RSPI pulmonology team, along with other hospital staff and management, demonstrated their dedication and capacity to efficiently manage a possible outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Indonesia.
Caption: Dr N. Paranietharan joined the staff of RSPI Sulianti Saroso in North Jakarta to review the facilities and procedures in place to manage suspected cases of 2019-nCoV.
Background
Beginning in December 2019, an upsurge of unknown pneumonia cases was detected in persons from Wuhan city in China. The unknown infection comes from the family of coronaviruses. These viruses are common – many cause less severe illness such as the common cold; others are known to cause more severe illness (such as SARS and MERS).
In the meantime, cases of this particular strain of virus have been detected throughout China, and in many countries across the world. While many cases can be traced back to contact or travel history in Wuhan city, human-to human transmission of the virus has been confirmed within and outside China, in other countries.
As of 5 February, there have been no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Indonesia. A number of suspected cases have all returned negative laboratory results.
The World Health Organization is working with the Government of Indonesia to ensure that suspected patients are treated adequately and in case of any potential confirmed cases, the spread of the virus is contained through appropriate measures as per WHO guidelines.
More information on COVID-19 preparedness in Indonesia can be found here: https://www.who.int/indonesia/news/novel-coronavirus
Main image: On 5 February 2020, WHO and MoH inspected the protective measures for COVID-19 being implemented at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta.
All photos credited to Ministry of Health, Indonesia, 2020.