On November 16, the Indonesian Ministry of Health announced plans to double the number of hospitals specializing in the treatment of avian influenza across the country’s 33 provinces.
Farid Husain, an official from the Ministry of Health, stated that the nation needs to prepare for a potential surge in avian influenza cases. Currently, Indonesia has 44 hospitals dedicated to treating individuals affected by avian influenza.
“There are three critical areas we need to enhance for the avian flu treatment hospitals: human resources, ventilation systems, and isolation rooms. We will equip the hospitals with these necessities,” Husain mentioned.
When asked about the preparations for hospitals in the event of a flu pandemic, he stated: “They need to be fully prepared… We must carry out this preparatory work.”
Indonesia, a developing nation with a population of 220 million, has an outdated hospital infrastructure. Husain did not specify when the new hospitals for avian influenza patients would be ready, but he expressed hope that each of the 33 provinces would have at least one dedicated facility for avian influenza cases.
T.VY (According to Reuters)
