Getting Immunized During Pandemic
Tambak Children's Hospital in Menteng, Central Jakarta, continues to provide immunization services during the coronavirus pandemic, even when the country saw its worst week of the outbreak last week.
A recent study by the Health Ministry and the United Nations Children's Fund found that 84 percent of immunization services in Indonesia have been disrupted by the pandemic.
At the hospital, children with a cold, persistent cough, shortness of breath or high fever will be ushered into a special waiting room and if necessary treated in the emergency room.
Some children will be turned away and told to come back in two to four weeks or once their conditions have improved.
The hospital tries to make sure that every child will not have to wait more than 10 minutes to get their immunization so they don't have to stay at the hospital for too long.
To make the children feel more comfortable with the new Covid-19 health protocol, pediatricians at Tambak modify their protective gear to look cute and child-friendly.
Each pediatrician at the hospital on average provides immunization to 5-10 babies and toddlers on weekdays and up to 20 on weekends.
The hospital does not treat Covid-19 patients but is nevertheless equipped with all the necessary facilities and equipment to prevent transmission of the disease, including disinfection chambers.
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