As many as 323 health workers in Indonesia have died of COVID-19. Our commitment to continue the fight against the pandemic must be maintained in homage to these humanitarian heroes.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·6 minutes read
KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO
Residents welcomed medical workers who will start occupying the Center for Human Resources Development at the Yogyakarta Regional Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Baciro Village, Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta, on Thursday (16/4/2020). The reception was a form of community support for medical staff working hard to treat patients affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Health workers who died after contracting COVID-19 have caused grief not only in their families, but also among the colleagues and former patients they left behind. Indonesia has lost some of its best men and women, who have died for public safety and health.
Leri Afbeki, 28, a resident of Belitang Village, East Ogan Komering Ulu regency, South Sumatra, was devastated when he learned that sports specialist Edward Edarladdar Tambunan, 54, from Bandung, West Java, died of COVID-19 on Sept. 29. “He died a hero. He saved my life, and I saw him as a stepfather figure,” said Leri on Sunday (8/11/2020).
When he was four years old, Leri was diagnosed with pneumonia. He was in critical condition when his parents took him to the late Dr. Edward, who was then stationed at Kayu Agung Public Health Center (Puskesmas). “It was the closest puskesmas to my house, and [Dr. Edward] was the only doctor there. He nursed me back to health,” said Leri.
For years, Dr. Edward, who was also known as Dr. Edo, treated Leri. Whenever Dr. Edward visited Leri, he also treated and brought medicine for other residents of the village. When a marbot (mosque caretaker) was critically ill, Dr. Edo drove him to a hospital in Palembang, which was approximately seven hours away, and paid all the expenses. From the patient, Dr. Edo accepted a bunch of bananas as token of gratitude.
However, when Leri was 10 years old, Dr. Edo was stationed at another medical center, and Leri lost contact with him. For years, Leri’s family looked for Dr. Edo, until they heard the news of his death. Leri has paid his respects to Dr. Edo at a “digital tomb” provided by the Laporcovid19 website, which documents the lives of health workers who have died from COVID-19.
Kompas
Health Workers Die of Covid-19 during 2020
A big loss
According to the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), out of the hundreds of health workers whose lives have been taken by COVID-19, 10 were professors and 68 were specialists. IDI mitigation team head Adib Khumaidi compared health workers to special forces in the world’s fight against the pandemic. “In Indonesia, the doctor-to-population ratio is approximately one doctor per 30,000 people. Therefore, every time a doctor dies, 30,000 people lose their access to health services,” he said.
In addition to Leri, some 1,000 people have left their comments and homages on the digital tomb. Many have testified about the kindness and dedication of the late health workers as well as the debt and gratitude they feel. This shows how the death of health workers has created a big loss.
Yoan Maukar, 32, a resident of Surabaya, said he was indebted to Boediwarsono, an internist and a professor at the Airlangga University Medical School. “He was my family doctor. My late father, aunt and other family members had always been treated by him. When I was sick with dengue fever and pneumonia, it was also he who treated me,” recalled Yoan.
Yoan remembered Boediwarsono as a friendly and optimistic figure. “I had acute pneumonia. I was so scared that the sickness could not be cured, but Dr. Boediwarsono encouraged me and said I would get better,” said Yoan.
Meanwhile, the death of Rohaetin, 32, a nurse at Gunung Jati Regional Hospital (RSUD) in Cirebon, West Java, has caused profound grief in her family and among her colleagues. Some of her colleagues reportedly fainted when they saw Rohaetin’s body for the last time.
Prior to her death, Rohaetin was being treated in an isolation room. As she was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, the doctors treating her decided to perform a caesarean section surgery to deliver her baby on Friday (30/10). Her child was born healthy. “Rohaetin passed away before she could hold her own child. She could only look at the child through photos and videos. During her pregnancy, she continued performing her duties to help other people,” said Ahmad Kunaefi, 44, Rohaetin’s uncle.
KOORDINATOR TIM MEDIS KARANTINA TERPUSAT HOTEL SAHID JAYAPURA/ASNAT WAIMURI
Health workers remain excited about Covid-19 at Hotel Sahid Jayapura. This hotel is a central quarantine place for residents exposed to Covid-19.
Sofyar Irawan, head of the Gunung Jati Regional Hospital’s High Care Unit (HCU), said Rohaetin decided to take leave only after she was diagnosed with COVID-19. Despite her pregnancy, Rohaetin wanted to continue treating patients, especially since the number of available nurses in HCU had decreased after some were stationed in isolation rooms.
Another victim of the pandemic is Miftah Fawzi Sarengat, 34, a resident physician at Soetomo Regional Hospital, who died in June. Miftah was known as being friendly and always willing to help others. “Dr. Miftah died shortly before he finished his residency. His death was a profound loss for me. He was a great senior to me,” said the coordinator of the hospital’s Resident Assistance Team, Jagaddhito Probokusumo.
Irreplaceable
Pantja Wibowo, 48, an anesthetist at Bintaro Premier Hospital, has also lost colleagues. Dr. Ali Khazatsin, one of Pantja’s coworkers and also his junior at medical school, passed away from COVID-19. “He was a young, bright and dedicated doctor. He was also my wife’s doctor,” said Pantja.
Pantja is also mourning the death of Setyo Ari Wibowo, a nurse at his hospital. “I knew him well. He was a funny and diligent figure. Whenever someone needed assistance, he was always ready to help,” said Pantja.
Indonesia is suffering heavy losses from the deaths of health workers. I personally have lost five of my teachers
COVID-19 has also killed teachers and role models. Lukman Shebubakar, an orthopedic doctor at Fatmawati General Hospital, and Professor Bambang Sutrisna, a doctor and epidemiologist of the University of Indonesia, died after contracting the virus. “I always enjoyed his teaching. He was an attentive teacher with integrity. His dedication to helping others was proven by his determination to continue his practice even in his old age,” he said.
Those who have died from COVID-19 cannot return. Their deaths, however, were to maintain hope for life. “Indonesia is suffering heavy losses from the deaths of health workers. I personally have lost five of my teachers,” said Tri Maharani, an emergency physician from Kediri who is also one of the co-founders of Laporcovid19.
At least 10 years of training is required to become a qualified doctor, 20 years to become a specialist and 30-40 years to become a professor. “Their knowledge, their experience and their dedication cannot be replaced. Our task now is to continue the struggle of our late colleagues and teachers to serve the country until the end.”
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