PRESS RELEASE

Strengthen Community health centers before they collapse

The increasing burden on Community health centres

In the midst of a spike in Covid-19 cases, many confirmed Covid-19 cases have not received health services in hospitals, to the point that they have had to self-isolate with monitoring from community health centers.

This has drastically increased the burden on and responsibility of community health centres. And has been further aggravated by many community health center staff being infected by Covid-19.

Community health centers are being overwhelmed

Several community health centers admit that the spike in cases has influenced the performance and resources of community health centers.

Sorry, currently with the spike in cases many community health center staff have also been exposed sir Tangerang District, 10 July 2021

Hello, sorry in advance for the delayed response. Because, in all honesty, the owner of this account has been exhausted in the past 4 days. Special Capital Region Jakarta, 11 July 2021

The impact on the people

In the past week, LaporCovid-19 has received reports from community health centers that are overwhelmed, to the point that patients undertaking self-isolation cannot access services from community health centers.

My whole family is Covid-19 positive and are in self-isolation. We have already reported to the Covid-19 taskforce. However, up until now, no one from the community health center has visited my house. (Surabaya, 8 July 2021)

After I got the swab test result and reported to the Community health center, I was [instead] ordered to go home and self-isolate without being given medicine or the contact details for the Community health center so I could contact them. (Tangerang District, 9 July 2021)

We have already reported to the community head, but we are yet to receive assistance in the form of medicine or multi-vitamins from the Community health center or even from the community head, so how are we meant to report, to which body? (Jakarta Capital Region, 9 July 2021)

The overflow of Community health centers can also be seen from the reports of citizens complaining that they have not been informed of the swab examination schedule:

I have been sick since 28 June, on 2 July I intended to get a swab at the Community health center in South Jakarta, but actually I was told to call the Community health center hotline, it took a very long time for them to answer. When they answered, I was asked to provide my personal information and was booked in to get a PCR swab in about 4-5 days, but up until now, I still have not been contacted (Special Capital Region Jakarta, 7 July 2021).

At the Community health center in East Jakarta — when I submitted the results of my antigen test, which stated that I was Covid-19 positive — staff from the Community health center asked for the antigen test results, a copy of their identity card and a contact mobile number. This is the seventh day I have been in self-isolation. I have not been contacted to schedule a PCR test. (Special Capital Region Jakarta, 7 July 2021)

Community health centers need serious attention

These conditions require serious attention from the Local Government and the Central Government. Strengthening the community health centers' capacity to deliver health services to citizens is crucial for saving the lives of many people.

Strengthening health facilities in Community health centers must be balanced with:

1. Support for the protection of the healthcare workers in Community health centers, including providing incentives to healthcare workers which must be provided in full, the provision of adequate PPE, medical treatment if they fall sick, and other support.
2. Strong capacity for testing, tracing and treatment (3T) and mobility restrictions to suppress the rise in cases so that the spread of Covid-19 can be controlled and so that Community health centers are no longer overwhelmed and can provide services at maximum capacity.

This press release is available to download by this link.