VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jan. 29 - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy appealed to survivors of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to come forward to donate convalescent plasma for the treatment of patients that contracted the virus.

"We called on COVID-19 survivors to donate their convalescent plasma to those infected with the coronavirus," Effendy stated during his visit to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) branch office in Surakarta, Central Java, on Friday.

Vice President KH Ma'ruf Amin has launched the national campaign for convalescent plasma donation to increase the number of donors.

"We have received a report, after the launch of the campaign, that showed the number of convalescent plasma donors in Solo had increased by 40 percent," he remarked.

He applauded Surakarta's PMI for its swift response in the campaign.

"The number of COVID-19 survivors, who donate (convalescent plasma), is expected to continue to increase because the current stock is still far below the demand, including in Solo. Some 30 COVID-19 patients are in need of convalescent plasma," he revealed.

Chief of the PMI branch office in Surakarta Sumartono Hadinoto stated that as of Thursday (Jan 28), the office had collected 231 bags of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients.

The number of patients in line to receive the convalescent plasma has declined, from 50 to 30, and within three days, all patients are expected to receive the plasma.

"This is because we are supported by the Indonesian Army personnel in Purworejo, where 29 personnel have donated their convalescent plasma," Hadinoto stated.

During the visit, the minister also observed the COVID-19 vaccination administered to medical workers at the Bung Karno Hospital and public health center (Puskesmas) in Purwodiningratan, Jebres, Solo. (Antaranews)