Solidarity amid COVID-19 Epidemic

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Tirta Mandira Hudhi, pemilik jasa perawatan sepatu Shoes and Care, di salah satu gerai Shoes and Care di Yogyakarta, Selasa (31/5).Kompas/Haris Firdaus (HRS)

Actions of solidarity to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are emerging everywhere. One of those involved in such actions is Tirta Mandira Hudhi. He has been quite successful in raising funds for the supply of protective gear for medical personnel.

Since Saturday (28/3/2020), a man with an eccentric appearance, Tirta, has been at a hospital. At first he was suspected of being infected with COVID-19, but it turned out he was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis.

He collapsed after going back and forth between several hospitals for around two weeks to distribute self-protection equipment (APD) for healthcare personnel handling patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and cases under observation (ODP). He was feverish and coughing, so he had to be hospitalized.

“I didn’t panic when I was required to get hospital care. It was meant more as a precaution. My test result showed no COVID-19, but I had chronic bronchitis. I’ve been smoking too much,” he said when contacted in Jakarta on Monday (30/3). He admitted that smoking had been his bad habit that made him vulnerable to illnesses.

A busy schedule awaits of designing content on education for COVID-19 prevention and campaigning for an end to smoking, as supported by the Health Ministry.

Although at the hospital, he remains engaged in coordinating the supply of various kinds of aid for those in need of equipment. A busy schedule awaits of designing content on education for COVID-19 prevention and campaigning for an end to smoking, as supported by the Health Ministry.

Tirta is in fact only one of the many people taking part in solidarity actions to help in the prevention of COVID-19. He has become prominent because he diligently gives practical directives on health maintenance that are easily understood by laypersons and frequently appeals to the public to stay at home. He also shares his experiences in life and talks about his frustrations with the lack of APD among medical personnel.

Sometimes he emotionally expresses his embitterment, thus inviting the comments, whether supportive or otherwise, among netizens. While he is supported by many netizens, at the same time he is being accused by some of being sensationalist. He is also being accused as having an agenda of being an influencer for a certain party.Tirta stressed that he was on social media only because he could not bear witness to medical personnel working hard without adequate protective gear. As one with a medical education, he felt the call to participate in protecting these personnel.

ARSIP PRIBADI TIRTA MANDIRA HUDHI

Tirta Mandira Hudhi

Originally he spent his own money to purchase face masks and hand sanitizers for the medical personnel. He was distributing the items to hospitals in need of them. For this activity, he sought the assistance of the Jakarta Metro Police.

His perseverance to motivate people to aid hospitals got the response of philanthropists, who made donations. “Many people later supported this effort. I’ve also collected [donations] through kitabisa.com. On Monday (30/3) about Rp 2.2 billion was already raised and only half has been utilized,” said Tirta, whose Instagram account has 1.2 million followers.

On Thursday last week, Tirta visited eight hospitals, distributing APD until 3:00 a.m. On the next day, though lacking in sleep, Tirta persistently went to the Athletes Village in Kemayoran to deliver the aid, until finally he was defeated by bronchitis.Now he’s trying hard to make available hazmat suits. While at the hospital, Tirta busily makes sure he can secure thousands of hazmat suits, which are vital for the protection of medical workers.

Changing course

Tirta has a background as a physician. His latest profession was a doctor in 2018 at Gadjah Mada University Hospital Yogyakarta. He had wanted to continue his medical career and planned to further his study to become a specialist. “But my health doesn’t allow me to do so,” he said.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Tirta Mandira Hudhi

He later changed course by focusing on the business of shoes repair and cleaning with Shoes and Care, which he initiated in Yogyakarta when he was a medical student of Gadjah Mada University, class of 2009. Then, he was given the nickname “shoe doctor”.

Since the start of the business, Tirta has recruited junior or senior high school graduates as team members. Several other members are former street children. He refuses to call those helping him work employees.

“Of the 82 involved in Shoes and Care, some were formerly street children. I only want to help people who are as yet out of jobs,” he said.

We only repair shoes using glues because we don’t want to reduce the fortune of shoe sole makers.

Once in several months, Shoes and Care also carries out a sharing program at orphanages in a number of cities. The intention to share makes it so that Tirta must reject orders for shoe repairs by sewing. “We only repair shoes using glues because we don’t want to reduce the fortune of shoe sole makers,” he said.

Shoes and Care eventually became part of the journey of Tirta’s life. The involvement of Tirta in the COVID-19 prevention movement is part of this journey.

Tirta emphasized that, for the good of the people and the state, he would do whatever job. “If one day I test positive for COVID-19, trust me, my spirit won’t be dampened. Even if I’m dying, I will keep fighting. Our destiny is determined by Allah. But it’s important to fight first while we’re here,” said Tirta.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Tirta Mandira Hudhi

Tirta Mandira Hudhi

Born: Solo, July 30, 1991

Occupation: Owner of Shoes and Care

Education:

- Kanisius Primary School, Solo

- Pangudi Luhur Junior High School, Solo

- Regina Pacis Senior High School, Solo

- Medical Faculty, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta