The Jakarta Post, Cirebon Fri, August 10 2012
The Cirebon regency administration has instructed all hospitals and community health centers (puskesmas) located along the Java north coast highway (Pantura) to remain on standby around the clock as part of efforts to maintain the health of homebound travelers during the Idul Fitri exodus.
It has also set up dozens of health posts and deployed hundreds of medical workers to ensure medical care is provided quickly and efficiently during the exodus.
Information gathered indicates that around 400 medical workers, comprising of doctors and paramedics, would be deployed at once, and posted at 21 health posts along the Pantura highway in Cirebon, West Java.
“The medical workers will be on duty during the peak of the homebound traffic, starting seven days before and ending seven days after Idul Fitri. They will be on standby around the clock to help maintain the physical condition of homebound travelers,” said Cirebon Regent Dedi Supardi on Wednesday.
Dedi has also directed two hospitals — Arjawinangun and Waled — as well as 24 puskesmas located along the Pantura highway, to remain open around the clock during both the exodus and the return journey after Idul Fitri, such as the Arjawinangun puskesmas located at the border between Cirebon and Indramayu, and the Losari puskesmas at the border between Cirebon and Brebes, Central Java.
“I instruct all hospitals and puskesmas along the main Idul Fitri homebound route to stay open around the clock. They must be ready to serve travelers,” said Dedi.
To make sure doctors and medical workers were fully prepared, added Dedi, his office had prohibited them from taking leave during the Idul Fitri homebound and return traffic flows. Those who are banned from taking leave include officials and civil servants within the health and transportation offices and the public order police unit.
“I have prohibited them from taking leave from seven days before until seven days after Idul Fitri, so the exodus and return journeys would be smooth, safe and comfortable,” said Dedi.
According to Dedi, the provision of health facilities and medical workers is very important, keeping in mind that the Pantura highway in Cirebon is the busiest route connecting Jakarta, West Java and Central Java.
“During the exodus, millions of homebound travelers will use the route. The deployment of medical workers is important to help travelers obtain medical care during their journey,” he said.
Cirebon Regency Health Office head Endang Susilowati also said 400 medical workers had been deployed for the same purpose. They consist of general practitioners, specialists, medical attendants, midwives, health volunteers and ambulance drivers.
“They will be posted at 20 health posts along the Pantura highway in Cirebon regency. All the health posts are equipped with medicine and medical equipment,” said Endang.
Apart from the medical workers, added Endang, her office would also provide 28 ambulances and 28 motorcycles. “We will place the ambulances and motorcycles at the health posts to serve sick travelers and accident victims during the exodus,” she said.
Endang added that any kind of medical care would be provided for free.
“Travelers using the medical services will not be charged, as all expenses have been fully covered by the Cirebon regency administration,” she said.
vr 10 aug 2012 - 7:16
