WEST PAPUA - Chief of Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, asked cultural intervention or adjusting local wisdom to encourage West Papuans positive for Covid-19 to be willing to be quarantined in Centralised Isolation Facility (Isoter).
The statement was delivered by Sigit when leading a meeting with the Regional Leaders Communication Forum of the province and all regencies/cities of West Papua related to Covid-19 handling and control, together with Commander of the Armed Forces Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, on Saturday (28/8/2021).
Sigit added that the approach must be conducted by Armed Forces, Police, and regional government personnel in synergy with all local community elements.
"The effort to switch from self-isolation to centralised isolation needs to be conducted optimally with the assistance of regional government, all community figures, and traditional figures. The further proper explanation is required with the adjustment to local wisdom that could give calm to the people when encouraging them to go to Isoter", Sigit said in the instruction.
The former Chief of Banten Regional Police explained that, regarding the self-isolation numbers in West Papua, there are now 411 cases or 82 per cent of all active cases. Meanwhile, there are 13 Isoter with a total capacity of 855 beds. Out of 855 beds, 19 are used, and 836 are still empty.
Meanwhile, the former Chief of Criminal Investigation Agency said that campaigns to the people to isolate in Isoter must be strengthened. According to him, the Isoters are now equipped with adequate facilities and full observation from the health workers.
Therefore, Sigit continued, the person's recovery rate would be higher. Not only that, but the sooner isolation conducted in Isoter would also prevent their families and friends from Coronavirus infection.
"Prioritise quarantine in Isoter because they could be observed by health workers", Sigit said.
Sigit also encouraged the Regional Leaders Communication Forum of Mimika to conduct a Covid-19 control strategy: implementation of strict Health Protocols, 3T strengthening (testing, tracing, treatment), and mass vaccination programme acceleration.
Sigit also hoped that Regional Leaders Communication Forum could be in synergy with the public to maintain the recent Coronavirus transmission trend because, from all 34 provinces in Indonesia, West Papua has become the least active case nationally.
By maintaining the positive trend, Sigit mentioned that it would be influenced for further relaxation policies to public activities. If the health sector could be guaranteed, Sigit added, then the economy would normally run with the discipline of Health Protocols.
"When the Covid-19 cases could be controlled, then the region would earn the relaxation policy and public economy could run better. It is indeed the responsibility of government, either central or regional, and all walks of life. In the Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs No. 36 and 37 of 2021, there is relaxation policy expansion in education, non-essential, restaurants, department stores, wedding receptions, public facilities, and arts and culture sectors", Sigit explained.
Furthermore, Sigit stated that the Covid-19 handling and control in West Papua also could be conducted with vaccination acceleration, as targeted by President Joko Widodo.
In order to accelerate the vaccine, Sigit hoped that personnel of the Armed Forces, Police, regional government, and the general public could campaign and advise the public on the importance of getting vaccinated. Then they could conduct door-to-door campaigns to vaccinate in schools, churches, and villages.
"Campaign the vaccination locations or outlets and its strategies so people can understand the vaccination activity that requires acceleration. Campaign it to the traditional figures and church community to encourage people to get vaccinated. Do innovative breakthrough strategies such as mobile or door-to-door vaccination, mass vaccination in schools and churches, mass vaccination at the house of traditional/village heads, and mass vaccination on stone burning ceremony", Sigit concluded his instructions.
