VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Public Relations of IDI-Makassar Chapter, Dr Wachyudi Muchsin. ANTARA/HO/Dok - 

The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI)-Makassar chapter has laid emphasis on making meticulous preparations for transitioning from the COVID-19 pandemic phase to the endemic phase amid rising cases of daily transmission.

Dr Wachyudi Muchsin from Public Relations of the IDI-Makassar Chapter, here on Saturday, spoke of the government having announced that after two years, the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia would enter the endemic phase.

"In Indonesia, the first case was found on March 2, 2020, and as of today, 5.5 million cases and more than 148 thousand fatalities due to COVID-19 had been recorded. Soon, this will become endemic," Muchsin stated.

The doctor noted that the government's target for COVID-19 to enter the endemic phase must be complemented with solid support from the government and society.

Muchsin opined that the government should work on strengthening the database since Indonesia often reeled from the problem of a lack of data. He noted that the data can serve as the basis for formulating evidence-based policies.

A discrepancy exists between the data held by the central and local government and not all data presented were real and up-to-date, he pointed out.

"This data discrepancy causes the decision-making for pandemic policies to often not be synchronized," he cautioned.

The doctor emphasized that the implementation of health protocols should be tightened, and vaccinations for all target groups should also be expedited in order to enter the endemic phase.

Moreover, the government must intensify its efforts to raise awareness and disseminate information to prepare the community to enter the endemic phase.

On top of that, the government must continue to actively undertake testing and tracing efforts as well as ensure the improvement of health facilities.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had earlier confirmed that the Indonesian government was outlining a strategy to change the status of the COVID-19 pandemic to an endemic phase.

"We also received direction from the president, with input from the coordinating minister regarding the strategy (to shift) from the pandemic to endemic stage. We have prepared the protocol," Sadikin stated.

The minister explained that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had called for careful consideration before arriving at a decision by taking into account various approaches from the scientific, health, social, cultural, and economic aspects//ANT