Guarding Whatever Hope is Left

Set in the health literature, Budhi Hermanto independently organized the procurement of protective personal equipment clothing (APD) in Yogyakarta.

KOMPAS/MADINA NUSRAT

Mamay (65), a resident of Bogor Regency, sews a coverall model of personal protective equipment (PPE) to fulfill an order from one of the companies.

“For me, the only hope left is for the medical workers to help my friends and brothers recover. I cannot imagine [what will happen] if we do not protect our medical workers. So I will do what I can.”

This was said by social researcher and activist Budhi Hermanto, who works together with tailors in Yogyakarta and Central Java to raise fund and produce personal protective equipment (PPE).

In early March, he was informed by medical workers that people in Wonogiri, Central Java, had contracted COVID-19. “To protect themselves, medical workers [in Wonogiri] use trash bags,” Budhi said in early April.

Based on literature review on medical PPE, Budhi then independently initiated PPE production. Using World Health Organization (WHO) journals and documents he downloaded from online sources, he made PPE from laminated spunbond non-woven fabric.

I cannot imagine [what will happen] if we do not protect our medical workers.

“I then decided to meet with several tailors. I asked them if they could make PPE. They then asked me what type of clothes that is. I just told them to make me raincoats. Some of them then said, ‘OK, I’ll try’,” Budhi explained.

Budhi then asked some of his doctor colleagues to test the PPE for quality control. The test was simple, namely using the PPE to contain water for two minutes to see if the water seeped through it.

“At the end, one of the doctors told me, ‘Mas Budhi, this is far better than raincoats’,” Budhi said.

As of 2 April, Budhi, as well as local groups in his network had distributed 700 PPE to several hospitals. All information on materials and how to make the PPE is shared as Google Documents to integrate the collective work. All groups in the network can share their experience and innovations in producing PPE clothes.

Also read : Jahitin: Sewing in the Fight Against Covid-19

DOKUMEN

Torch PPE medical clothes made by Torch, one of the manufacturers of outdoor equipment.

Home-based tailors

In Jakarta, graduates of Trisakti University’s School of Dentistry, year 2002, have been working with home-based tailors to produce PPE since 21 March. They use laminated spunbond materials. Today, the dentists gathered in Project Indonesia can produce 400 PPE per week.

Dentist Ruth Amigia, a member of Project Indonesia, said that she and her colleagues had distributed PPE to hospitals and community health centers (Puskesmas) in more than 200 locations around Indonesia. Ruth said the group strived to fulfill Health Ministry’s standards on PPE and that the donated APD reached the right targets.

“We understand that we are facing PPE shortage right now. We want our donation to reach the right target,” she said.

According to Ruth, hospitals usually get PPE packages from Project Indonesia, comprising hazmat suits, surgical gowns, surgical gloves, goggles, face shields, surgical masks, N95 masks, boots, alcohol swabs and hand sanitizer.

Also read : Lessons from Quarantine at Kampung Hitu

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

People with disabilities pack clothing for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medical officers in the tailor of Widodo, Donoharjo Village, Ngaglik, Sleman, DI Yogyakarta, Saturday (28/3/2020).

“We also work together with colleagues from the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association to create hazmat suits and surgical gowns,” she said.

Bandung-based outdoor gear producer Torch conducted an independent research to produce PPE that fulfills medical standards. Torch CEO Ben Wirawan Sudarmadji said that the research was based on government standards so that the products can fulfill medical standards.

Also read : Depok Residents Fight Against Outbreak

“We ask the Biology Laboratory of Bandung Institute of Technology [ITB] to test our PPE to find out if it is bacteria-resistant or not. Our colleagues at the lab are developing the bacteria to be used in the test,” Ben said.

Until Covid-19 vaccines and medicines are found, people are relying chiefly on medical workers. Like what Budhi said, protecting the safety of medical workers is like protecting the only hope left to get through this deadly pandemic.