Indonesian Hajj Mission are on alert on coronavirus

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDINA - Following the announcement from Saudi Ministry of Health on the spreading of coronavirus, Indonesian Hajj Mission 1433 H demonstrate their readiness to tackle any possibility. "We will be on alert status to the development of the virus," the Head of Local Working Health in Medina, Tjetjep Ali Akbar, said on Monday to Endah Hapsari from Republika.

The initiative step taken by Indonesian government is by conducting counseling to doctors assigned for each batch and Indonesian Team of Hajj Health (THKI) and also the pilgrims. Yet, he said that coronavirus was not as severe as meningitis. Coronaviruses are considered to be one of the common etiological agents of the common cold.

Akbar warned every hajj pilgrim to wear mask and take sufficient rest to increase body's resistance. Hajj Medical Center Indonesia (BPHI) has also prepared the supply of antibiotics medicine.

Saudi Ministry of Health announced Sunday, as cited on Arabnews, that a new form of the coronavirus was diagnosed in three people causing the death of two of them; the third is still undergoing treatment. The first case was a Saudi patient diagnosed in one of the hospitals in Jeddah; the second was a Saudi patient and the third a Gulf State patient both diagnosed in London, England.

The Ministry said that the coronaviruses are well known and most of those who are diagnosed with it recover completely with no complications after receiving the needed supportive therapy. In minority of the patients who are infected with this novel strain; complications can develop affecting the respiratory system and the kidneys and can cause death especially among the elderly and in patients with chronic respiratory & cardiac conditions and among immunocompromised patients.

The Ministry would like to affirm that it will continue to monitor the situation locally, regionally and globally in close coordination with concerned departments and the international health authorities.