By Devon Schmidt | Marketing Officer
Health In Harmony recently hosted a webinar with two incredible women leaders at Alam Sehat Lestari – Executive Director Nur Febriani and Senior Public Health Advisor Dr. Monica Nirmala. They provided an in-depth update on the current state of COVID-19 in Indonesia and shared their efforts to change the local and national narratives.
Luckily, there are fewer cases of COVID-19 on the island of Borneo than in bigger cities like Jakarta. As of last Wednesday, the West Kalimantan region has reported 359 cases and 4 deaths.
The ASRI Medical Center has managed two cases so far. As a clinic, not a hospital, the team coordinated with the district health office to determine the best course of action. Because the clinic was so well-prepared and had the necessary supplies and facilities, the government asked ASRI to keep the patient in isolation there. The first patient ended up being in isolation for 90 days.
ASRI continues to prepare its facility, coordinate with the government, and educate local communities on the best health practices to decrease the chances of community spread of COVID-19.
Dr. Nirmala has also been conducting COVID-19 advocacy outreach nationally with the Indonesian government during this time. She provided advice on initial testing and antibody testing, contact tracing, and exit strategies. Dr. Nirmala has also been on national TV 12 times!
In addition, Dr. Nirmala had the chance to speak to the United States Congress last week about COVID-19 and forest fires in Indonesia and their impact on human health. Dr. Nirmala discussed the link between deforestation practices and the pandemic, as well as how the coronavirus should be a global wake up call to not only take care of one another as human beings, but to take care of nature and the planet as well. You can watch Monica’s congressional address here!
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