CISDI policy director Olivia Herlinda said that, based on an online survey regarding the needs of Puskesmas during the pandemic, which was held by the CISDI in collaboration with the groups KawalCOVID19 and Cek Diri, there were still many challenges in carrying out the 3T, the key strategy for COVID-19 handling while waiting for a vaccine.

The survey carried out from Aug. 14 to Sept. 7 involved 765 respondents from 647 Puskesmas from 259 regencies/cities in 34 provinces.

Based on the survey, 96 percent of the Puskesmas had already carried out contact tracing, but the quality of that effort is questionable given that only 47 percent of the Puskesmas had tracer personnel and that they traced fewer than five contacts for every positive case.

According to the World Health Organization, it should ideally be 25 or more. This means that, for each person who tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracers should identify a minimum of 25 people who have been in close contact, defined as within 1 meter for 15 minutes or more.

Regarding the testing capacity, 80 percent answered using serological rapid tests. Regarding the use of serology rapid tests, as many as 12 percent of Puskesmas use it as a diagnostic instrument, because PCR tests are not available in their area.

However, 39 percent of Puskesmas stated that they performed both PCR swab test as well as serological tests.

Almost all the Puskesmas monitor patients who are in self-isolation, with the majority doing this by phone or through messaging and 45 percent conducting home visits.

However, when investigated further about the frequency, Olivia revealed that only 57 percent of the Puskesmas carry out daily monitoring.

"Given that the resources [for optimal testing, tracing and isolating], both in terms of facilities and personnel, are still limited, it is important that the government commit to mobilizing and assigning resources to health centers for these efforts, including for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle," Olivia said on Thursday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Olivia explained that the survey was aimed at assessing the readiness of Puskesmas for handling the COVID-19 pandemic by looking at several aspects.

The first is the capacity of a Puskesmas to control and prevent infection, the second refers to testing, tracing and isolation capacities, the third pertains to the disruption of essential health services during the pandemic and the fourth is about prevention and health promotion efforts.

Separately, a member of Commission IX overseeing health and demographic affairs at the House of Representatives, Prosperous Justice Party member Kurniasih Mufidayati, asked the government to widen 3T efforts because, in the last few days, people had begun to do activities out of their homes, especially during the long weekend at the end of October. 

"We must be aware of a potential surge in COVID-19 transmission," Kurniasih said as quoted by kompas.com. 

Kurniasih noted that Indonesia currently ranked 19th in the world and fourth in Asia regarding the number of COVID-19 cases. 

Therefore, she asked the government to focus on handling the COVID-19 pandemic and not be disturbed by other matters. “Vaccines still need time; therefore, the number of specimen testing should be increased and 3T should be intensified," said Kurniasih. (iwa)