Double Challenges in Papua

Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo

Riders pass through the promotional media for the XX Papua National Games (PON) installed at the HI Roundabout, Jakarta, Friday (3/9/2021). XX Papua PON will be held on 2-15 October 2021.

Efforts to control COVID-19 in Papua over the past year and a half have been marked by various challenges, made more difficult by the appearance of the Delta variant in June-July 2021. Now, in the midst of a slowing down of cases, Papua is preparing to welcome the National Games (PON) on Oct. 2-15. Keeping the pandemic under control, before, during and after the tournament, is a big gamble for all parties.

Certainly, no one wants the dangerous. situation that occurred in July to repeat itself in Papua. At that time, a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases overwhelmed and almost led to the collapse of health services, especially in the provincial capital Jayapura.

During July, the highest rise in COVID-19 cases during the pandemic was recorded in Papua, with 11,026 cases, an average of 368 cases per day. During the same period, the highest number of deaths was recorded during the pandemic at 371 people.

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Hospital wards were fully occupied so that many patients could not be treated adequately and only conducted self-isolation at home. The city of Jayapura even experienced a medical oxygen crisis due to the high demand to treat patients with severe symptoms. Data from the Jayapura COVID-19 Task Force reveals that in July around 20 patients with severe symptoms died as a result of the limited availability of oxygen in hospitals.

The tremendous pressure of the pandemic was a nightmare for areas with limited health facilities or a limited number of health workers. This was quite apart from the conditions in the interior, such as in the Pegunungan Tengah area.

According to Kompas Research and Development data, the pandemic control index in Papua since July 19 was initially better than the national average. However, the trend began to decline in the second week. Even though this had improved by the fourth week, by the sixth week the improvement in control was still below the national average. This means that control measures in Papua were not as effective as in other provinces.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

One of the hospitals in Jayapura City provided a tent to treat Covid-19 patients on Friday (9/7/2021).

With regard to the two aspects for the assessment parameters, namely infection management and treatment management, Papua was on the right track in infection management. During the seven weeks of assessment, Papua\'s score was always higher than the national average.

However, Papua\'s overall score fell down due to its poor showing in the treatment management aspect. During the seven weeks of assessment, this figure was always below the national average.

Entering the month of September, the situation has begun to get under control as cases have gradually decreased throughout August. A number of steps taken by the local government have shown improvement. Increased discipline among residents in implementing health protocols is also a major factor in the decline in the number of cases.

The chairman of the Papua COVID-19 Task Force, Welliam Manderi, said in Jayapura on Tuesday that the number of daily cases had now decreased dramatically with an average of below 100 cases per day. The average bed occupancy rate (BOR) specifically for COVID-19 in big cities in Papua, which in July was above 90 percent, as of 6 September had dropped to below 50 percent.

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Meanwhile, the number of residents who had recovered as of Aug. 1 was 27,779 people, 77 percent of the cumulative cases. Currently, the number of patients who have recovered stands at 38,804 people, as high as 92.7 percent.

"The main key to the decrease in COVID-19 cases and the increase in recovery rates is good health management in hospitals, widespread COVID-19 vaccinations, so that patients recover quickly when exposed, and most importantly the community is disciplined in implementing health protocols," said Welliam.

Restrictions on mobility are also considered effective in reducing the number of new cases. Level 3 public activity restrictions (PPKM) were applied in one city and 15 regencies, while level 2 PPKM were imposed in 13 regencies.

KOMPAS/DOKUMENTASI HUMAS POLDA PAPUA

Head of the Papua Province Contingent, Inspector General (Pol) Mathius Fakhiri at the XX National Games with athletes at the Mandala Stadium Jayapura, Papua, Thursday (9/9/2021).

PON

The PON tournament in Papua is a difficult challenge in relation to controlling COVID-19. The Papua provincial administration will extend the PPKM and continue to close sea transportation to passengers in the four PON-organizing regions, namely Jayapura city and Jayapura regency, as well as the regencies of Merauke and Mimika. This is in order to keep the pandemic under control before and during the implementation of PON.

The Games, which involve thousands of people from all regions of the country, certainly raise the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Furthermore the Games will be attended by spectators. Strict health protocols are essential to avoid the possibility of transmission.

Pursuant to this, the PON 2020 Papua organizing committee will hold a trial to finalize the implementation of the COVID-19 health protocols. The trial must be completed before the first PON event, namely softball, which will start on 22 September. Secretary of the Youth and Sports Ministry Gatot S Dewa Broto said the trial was important to ensure readiness and resolve existing weaknesses.

On the other hand, the chairman of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) in Papua, Donald Aronggear, asked the COVID-19 task force to consistently enforce health protocols in Papua, especially in the four regions that will stage the PON. Tests and tracking and vaccination coverage need to be increased.

All efforts will be made to ensure success for Papua in holding this historic event for the first time and at the same time overcoming the threat of the pandemic. As the slogan of PON 2020 Papua says “Torang Bisa!” (We Can!). (LITBANG KOMPAS)