On the Frontlines 24/7

Kompas

A nurse communicates with other nurses who deal with patients in the isolation room of the Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso Infection Disease Hospital, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (6/24/2015). This hospital is a national referral center for infectious diseases, including covid-19.

The voice of the first Covid-19 patient, known as Case 1, was rather restrained. However, when given the opportunity to speak after she was declared recovered from Covid-19, she immediately thanked the doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel and cleaning staff at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital, Jakarta.

"I want to say, I am very grateful to be isolated at RSPI Sulianti Saroso because the doctors, nurses, lab workers and cleaning staff were very helpful to us. They accompanied us 24 hours a day. We want the government to give awards, appreciation and incentives to those who are on the forefront 24 hours a day and who will continue to work, I don\'t know, maybe for six months, and have families. I ask [the government] to pay more attention to them because their work is extraordinary," Case 1 said on Monday (16/3/2020).

Health workers are now at the forefront in dealing with Covid-19.

Lung specialist at Jakarta’s RS Persahabatan Hospital Erlina Burhan said health workers, including herself, were working to cure those infected. They maintain their own health while working in turn to provide optimal care to patients.

In addition, continued Erlina, they consumed vitamins to maintain their health and always wore face masks.

Kompas/Priyombodo

The nurses wore masks while at the Sulianti Saroso Infection Disease Hospital (RSPI), North Jakarta, on Monday (2/3/2020).

Mental toll

Erlina said she often became emotional, sad, disappointed and confused when treating Covid-19 patients in recent months. She hopes the patients’ family members can understand that there is not the slightest intention to ignore the patients.

"I sometimes cry seeing doctors and nurses who take care of the patients. We are all tired. However, when a patient has recovered, there\'s happiness. It\'s a gift for us health workers," said Erlina, who is the spokesperson of Persahabatan hospital for Covid-19.

Fortunately for her, both her husband and child can understand this condition.

She added that their dedication to treating patients made their time with the family limited. Fortunately for her, both her husband and child can understand this condition.

"Now [the time for work] is indeed rather special because we have delayed other matters, including family matters. My child turned 15 yesterday, but because of the current situation it is not possible to go anywhere," she said.

Although they are equipped with protective equipment and sufficient knowledge about the spread of Covid-19, doctors and paramedics remain concerned, especially because a health worker has died of Covid-19.

Erick Ery, a doctor on duty in the emergency unit of a public hospital in Denpasar, Bali, said he was worried he could be infected with Covid-19. He said hundreds of people, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners, had come to the hospital for check-ups.

REUTERS/FRANCOIS LENOIR

A nurse uses a nose swab on a patient while she sits in her car at a drive-in testing site for coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Regional Hospital Center in Liege, Belgium March 11, 2020.

Long working hours

The high number of people who are coming for health checks has forced his work hours to be extended. He often has to summarize the medical records of people under monitoring (ODP) or patients under supervision (PDP). He and his fellow doctors also have to answer people\'s questions over the telephone.

"There are documents that I have to finish. So, I can only complete the work by 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. when I am supposed to hand over the documents at 2 p.m. This is because there are many medical records of the patients. Now, we also handle call center services, as people want to know more about the health checks," he said.

He has also not forgoten to contact his family in Medan, North Sumatra, to tell them about his condition.

While taking care of the patients, Erick also tries to keep himself healthy and clean by following the recommended procedures. He has also not forgoten to contact his family in Medan, North Sumatra, to tell them about his condition.

"It\'s okay to worry, but don\'t make chaos. We still have to maintain our stamina. So, the most important thing is that we understand how to prevent it, and not be afraid," he said.

Rizki Usaputro, a doctor in charge of the emergency unit of Karangasem Regional Hospital, Bali, is also concerned about the spread of Covid-19. "Of course, [I am] worried. Personally, if you are exposed to Covid-19, it is a risk. The important thing is we take care of our health so that if we get infected, it won\'t be severe. My concern is that if I spread the virus to people around me who are at high risk, such as elderly parents and children," he said.

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Members of the joint team from the Mataram Class II Port Health Office of the Pemenang Work Area, the Pemenang Port Authority, the North Lombok Health Office, the Indonesian Navy and the police check foreign tourists for symptoms of the coronavirus at a port in North Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday (12/2/2020).

Knowing the risks makes health workers more worried about the health of others. Winda, a nurse at a hospital in East Jakarta, said the hospital where she worked was increasingly crowded with people who complained of mild fevers and common colds.

"I was worried to go back home. I was worried I would be a carrier of disease that could infect my family. For myself, anyway, I just trust God, after all, it is a consequence of my profession," said Winda.

Like Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3, who have recovered, all Indonesians should be grateful for the health workers who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic head on. (SHR/ERK/DIV/FAI)