In overcoming the pandemic, mass testing is one of the strategies to reduce the transmission rate of COVID-19.

Currently, the method considered to have the highest level of accuracy for detecting COVID-19 is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. However, the Indonesian government has been facing the obstacle of limited infrastructure.

That’s why Human Initiative and its strategic partner MERCY Malaysia, an international humanitarian organization, have participated in helping the government to cope with the challenge.

As part of the partnership, Human Initiative and MERCY Malaysia mobilized three mobile labs at several public hospitals in Central Jakarta since early August 2021, providing PCR kits with BSL-2 standard for swab-PCR examinations in order to accelerate case finding and control the COVID-19 outbreak.

A symbolic handover ceremony of PCR tool kits was held on Aug. 6, 2021 at the Central Jakarta Health Laboratory.

The event was attended by Human Initiative vice president of operations Andjar Radite, Central Jakarta Health Laboratory head Dr. Erizon Safari, the Human Initiative project team, doctors and staff of the Central Jakarta Health Laboratory and representatives of MERCY Malaysia.

During his speech, Andjar emphasized the importance of collaboration in responding to existing obstacles that might be faced by the Jakarta administration in handling COVID-19 cases.

He shared his hope that the collaboration would strengthen joint humanitarian actions to overcome our limitation.

Dr. Erizon expressed his gratitude especially to MERCY Malaysia and Human Initiative, who provided the PCR tool kits for the three mobile labs, which helped accelerate case finding and control the COVID-19 outbreak in Central Jakarta.

The event then proceeded with Andjar symbolically handing down the giant check and the certificate of donation to Dr. Erizon prior to the signing of the Record of Transfer (BAST).

The PCR Mobile Test will be operated under the control and supervision of the Central Jakarta Health Laboratory.

The event was also followed virtually via Zoom from Malaysia.

MERCY Malaysia president Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense burdens on healthcare and medical systems globally. MERCY Malaysia is committed to providing support to our international partners, by leveraging our interdisciplinary expertise in humanitarian medical relief.”

He further stated, “The mobilization of three mobile labs at several public hospitals in Central Jakarta functions as an initiative to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection and indirectly help minimize the mortality rate in Indonesia.”

“While MERCY Malaysia has been proactive in assisting the COVID-19 relief efforts in Malaysia, extending aid to Indonesia underscores the continuous commitment and support of working alongside international partners in serving vulnerable communities on risk reduction. In the face of a global pandemic, we need to stand together more than ever.”

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