Together, We Support Health Workers

Kompas/Priyombodo

Health workers (left) from the Banten Provincial Health Office, conducted a free Covid-19 rapid test to a trader in Bengkok Market, Pinang District, Tangerang City, Tuesday (21/4/2020).

The story of doctors and nurses who were sick and even died after contracting the new coronavirus while treating COVID-19 patients has touched the hearts of the people. Various community groups in the country were moved to help the health workers in various ways. Solidarity further strengthens the struggle to overcome this pandemic.

The movement of volunteers from the School of Industrial Engineering (FTI) of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI), Makassar, South Sulawesi, is one of the examples. The movement began after they saw health workers at the community health center (Puskesmas) in the city wearing only modest protective clothing, raincoats and even without personal protective equipment (PPE). While conducting an examination of the patients, they are quite vulnerable to be infected with the new coronavirus. The volunteers took pictures of the medical workers and then shared their photos on social media.

It did not take long time for 1,000 pieces of cloth to be collected to make hazmat suits and other special protective clothing for medical personnel. Some people also want to help to sew the material. In fact, the funds collected exceeded expectations.

It\'s not fair to let medical personnel struggle on their own.

"The remaining funds are used to make 500 face shields and 1,000 fabric masks, as well as for buying hand sanitizer and disinfectant. The masks are made by students at the campus," said Zakir Sabara, the dean of the FTI of UMI university, last week.

Also read : Lessons from Quarantine at Kampung Hitu

The student movement is getting bigger because it is supported by officials, the public and also journalists. Journalists in the city has formed the Humanitarian Concern Journalist forum (JPK).

"It\'s not fair to let medical personnel struggle on their own," said A Ahmar, one of JPK\'s founders.

100 million masks

KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO

Asri Wijayanti (24), founder of Jahitin.com, showed personal protective equipment in the form of hazmat production of his team at the Jahitin.com workplace in Sidoarjo, East Java, Wednesday (15/4/2020). Jahitin.com encourages the production of masks and hazmat through a network of tailors and volunteers to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

A similar show of solidarity is also seen in Sidoarjo, East Java. Asri Wijayanti, 24, the founder of Jahitin.com, a start-up that links tailors and customers, was moved to produce masks, especially for health workers treating COVID-19 patients. Initially, she opened a fundraising campaign for the production of fabric masks through the website Kitabisa.com. She also made the #sayaambilperan #100jutamaskerchallenge movements through social media to promote tailors\' network while opening a partnership with volunteers. As a result, there were 500 volunteers from 95 districts and cities in Indonesia who were willing to take part. They consisted of tailors, fabric donors and fund donors.

Masks were produced in large quantities. Masks for volunteers and partners were delivered by forwarding companies.

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

In addition to the health workers, the masks are also sold, but with aid packages. The buyer pays Rp 50,000 (US$3.20) for five fabric masks but only gets three. Two of the masks will be donated to the medical workers or those in need.

"Buy one, help one, buy one give, one to those in need," said Asri.

This movement was warmly welcomed. Dormis, a tailor from Kodaka, West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, for example, joined and received training at Jahitin.com.

"Making a mask based on the pattern provided the Jahitin.com is more difficult but the result is very good and many people like them. Within a day, I can make 50-80 cloth masks with my children ," he said. For sewing services, he gets a pay from the local government or fabric donors.

Lodging assistance

KOMPAS/MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

The Aksara Hotel in Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java is used for medical staff working at the Margono Soekarjo Regional Hospital, Saturday (18/4/2020).

In Purwokerto, Central Java, solidarity has also grown for health workers. Brili Agung, 29, a businessman, was asked by his friend to help a nurse in the COVID-19 isolation room at Prof Dr Margono Soekarjo Hospital, Purwokerto, who was unable to return to the boarding house because she was prohibited by the owner of the boarding house. Shocked by the situation, he immediately provided two rooms at Aksara Homestay for free.

"They are at the forefront to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19. If they can\'t rest, then they get sick, who will treat the patient?" he said.

Now, all the 24 rooms in the inn are provided for free to nurses at Margono Soekarjo Regional Hospital. Not only that, he also provided meals three times a day as well as vitamins and honey.

While serving health workers, lodging employees apply health protocols. They wear masks, always keep their distance and always wash their hands. There are always available hand sanitizer and disinfectant.

Brili is not alone. Some of his friends also took similar steps through Cozy Home Care, a free lodging program for health workers or nurses of COVID-19 patients. The initiator is Muliandy Nasution, a business partner of Brili. There are currently four boarding or homestay facilities that can be used by medical workers. Two in Jakarta, one in Bandung (West Java) and another in Purwokerto. There are also four star hotels, three in Jakarta and one in Bandung.

Initially, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, occupancy rates for many lodgings plummeted, even partially closed. For the sake of humanity, some of lodging facilities were used temporarily for medical personnel to stay.

"We invite other colleagues to help. After all, this is for our mutual benefit. If the epidemic continues, we will be affected, including the economic sector, "Muliandy said.