UNAIR NEWS – Petronella Marcia Risamasu’s is getting busier, especially after the hospital she leads, Yowari Regional General Hospital (RSUD), Jayapura, was appointed as one of the Covid-19 referral hospitals by the Governor of Papua.
Petronella said, originally Yowari Hospital was not a hospital built to deal with a pandemic such as the coronavirus. However, circumstances forced her to take immediate action to optimize the available health services.
Services optimization, said Petronella, were carried out by the hospital since admittance of the first patient in the category of Person Under Monitoring (ODP), last March.
“We have also built an isolation room meeting the standards and prepared a room with negative pressure, complete with several exhaust fans that are placed in each isolation room, so the air circulation per hour (ACH) complies with the standard,” said Petronella.
The woman born in Kaimana continued, another thing that was no less important was preparing all elements (HR) of the hospital, both clinical staff and non-clinical staff.
“Because our human resources are limited, it must be managed. For example, we only have eighteen medical specialists, but all of them jump in. Even though those who treat Covid-19 patients are only pediatricians, lung specialists, and internal medicine specialists, “said Petronella.
Apart from optimizing hospital services, Petronella also communicates with external parties. “For example, the nearest hospital, other referral hospitals, the health service, police, military (TNI), and the government, so that we can collaborate to deal with the pandemic,” added the alumna of the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga.
“Thanks to the communication that has been established with external parties, including with the TNI, we have received assistance in the form of one general practitioner and four nurses,” she said.
Although health services are more focused on Covid-19 patients, Petronella emphasized that handling the disease for other cases cannot be ignored.
“Because, Yowari Hospital is the only hospital in Jayapura Regency. If they are, where are the patients going? They can go to the city hospital, but it takes time because of the distance. Especially now, community activities are limited, ” she explained.
In fact, when the isolation room experienced over-capacity, Yowari Hospital was forced to refer some Covid-19 patients to several other referral hospitals in Jayapura City.
Regarding the patient examination process, Petronella explained that Yowari Regional Hospital was able to detect Covid-19 through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) / Swab Test method.
“For the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab test result at Yowari Hospital will then be sent to the Papua Research and Development Center for RT-PCR examination,” she explained.
Community Behavior Becomes Challenge in Stopping the Spread of the Virus
According to Petronella, the challenge in stopping the spread of the coronavirus does not stop at the availability of health facilities and human resources, but also people’s behavior.
The doctor who has studied malaria said that until now, she still often encounters people who have not implemented proper health protocols.
“We know that the Papuan people have a high sense of kinship. They often hold gatherings, if there are relatives who are sick, all want to visit and so on. Well, habits like this must be limited or postponed for now, ” she added.
Public behavior and the circulation of negative sentiments aimed at Covid-19 patients, doctors and health workers, makes things even more difficult.
“Some people also consider coronavirus as a disgrace. There are also those who refuse to be isolated because they feel that they are healthy and do not need special treatment,” explained the deputy of Papua’s Association of Indonesian Hospitals (PERSI).
In fact, people with Covid-19 who experience mild symptoms still have the potential to transmit the virus. Therefore, they must be handled immediately to prevent a critical condition.
“So, education about the dangers of the coronavirus must be carried out. Likewise with the promotion of new habits, such as not doing outdoor activities if it is not important, wearing mask properly, washing hands, and living a healthy life, ” she said.
Keep Serving Patients While Minimizing the Spread of the Coronavirus
In order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, Yowari Hospital has implemented several policies in the hospital environment, including providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers, limiting visits, and monitoring patient activities.
“Covid-19 patients are handled according to management guidelines. Furthermore, patients can do other activities, including sports according to the medical team’s instructions, “said Petronella.
While treating Covid-19 patients, Petronella also asked all hospital staff to always take care of themselves by using and removing PPE properly.
“The hospital is the last bastion of defense. So, we are trying our best so the community does not reach the maximum severity or can recover at the last fort, ” she continued.
As a manager, Petronella has a bigger responsibility, especially in creating a conducive work environment. “If you asked me, are you afraid? I am obviously scared. We all have families at home. We don’t want to carry the virus home, ” she explained.
“But, I always tell my friends, everything will end soon. We have experienced floods last year. I am sure that non-natural disasters such as the coronavirus pandemic can be overcome by strengthening each other, cooperation and responsibility, ” she said.
Petronella admitted that the last seven months had been tough for her and other health workers because their lives are only focused in the hospital environment.
“I spent a lot of time in the hospital. However, husband and children always provide support. They advised me to always be enthusiastic, maintain my health, and be careful because I am also at risk of catching the virus,” said the mother of Aurelia Demtari Tuah.
Therefore, she hoped that all parties, including the government, related authorities, and the community, should cooperate with each other in overcoming the spread of the coronavirus.
“I hope the public can be disciplined in applying health protocols. Then, from the government side, it must also be firm by continuing to provide adequate facilities. Don’t let this pandemic continue, making it difficult for all of us. Because the impact is not only for health, but also in other fields,” concluded Petronella. (*)
Author: Nabila Amelia
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
