VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo has instructed his ranks to firmly supervise the distribution of free COVID-19 therapy drugs to patients conducting self-isolation at their homes.

The distribution of free COVID-19 therapy drugs is aimed at helping treat patients and reducing their risk of contracting infections, the head of state noted at the yard of the Merdeka Palace, here on Thursday.

"I order it to be tightly supervised, so that the (vaccination) program will maximally reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and help the treatment of COVID-19 patients," he remarked.

The president instructed National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto to coordinate with regional governments in distributing the free COVID-19 therapy drugs to the level of neighborhood association/community group (RT/RW).

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir has readied supplies of COVID-19 therapy drugs.

The head of state stressed that the COVID-19 therapy drugs comprising three packages are not for sale.

"The three packages of drugs for self-isolation are not for sale. The state-owned enterprises minister has prepared the packages of COVID-19 drugs produced by state-owned pharmaceutical firms. The TNI chief will coordinate with regional governments to distribute the drugs until the level of village administration. The distribution of drugs to patients will later involve public health service posts and RT/RW staffs," he remarked.

The government will start distributing 300 thousand packages of COVID-19 therapy drugs to patients conducting self-isolation in Java and Bali on Thursday.

"Later, we will distribute 300 thousand packages to regions outside Java," he remarked.

The COVID-19 therapy drugs comprise three packages. The first package contains vitamins for asymptomatic residents, who tested positive for COVID-19 based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test.

The second package comprises vitamins and drugs for residents testing positive for COVID-19 based on the PCR swab test and experiencing fever and anosmia, or loss of smell.

The third package comprises vitamins and drugs for residents, who test positive for COVID-19 based on PCR swab test, and reported above-normal body temperature and dry cough. (Antaranews)