Could Indonesia become Asia's Italy in the fight with coronavirus?
Could Indonesia become Asia's Italy in the fight with coronavirus?
Indonesia is struggling under the weight of its coronavirus cases, arguably more so than other Asian countries, and there are a few reasons why this could be.
2 min read
Indonesia is struggling under the weight of its coronavirus cases [Getty]
Indonesia has the most deaths in south-east Asia due to the coronavirus outbreak, but researchers warn that the death toll could balloon.
There have been 893 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, and in less than a month virus-related deaths went from zero to 78 dead, and officials suggested – rather alarmingly – that the infections were spreading undetected.
Most recently, Indonesia reported an additional 103 new coronavirus cases in one day, and 20 deaths, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto said.
And although 35 people have recovered from the coronavirus, the country’s healthcare system is on the edge of collapse.
Collapsing infrastructure
Healthcare experts warn that Indonesia is significantly lacking in hospital beds, intensive care facilities and medical staff – all of which would pose a huge risk.
A slow government response could also contribute to a sudden surge in cases.
The Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, a London-based research group, estimates that just two per cent of Indonesia’s coronavirus infections have actually been reported.
If this is the case, it would bring the true number to approximately 34,300 – more than Iran.
"We have lost control, it has already spread everywhere," Ascobat Gani, a public health economist told Reuters.
"Maybe we will follow Wuhan or Italy. I think we are in the range of that".
The government has denied that this will be the case.
"We won't be like that," said Achmad Yurianto, a senior health ministry official, referring to comparisons with outbreaks in Italy and China.
"What's important is that we rally the people ... they have to keep their distance."
Indonesia’s healthcare system is poor. The country has more than 260 million people, but only 321,544 hospital beds according to health ministry data.
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That’s just 12 beds to 10,000 people compared to South Korea, which has 115 beds per 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In addition, WHO in 2017 found Indonesia had just four doctors per 10,000 compared to Italy, which had 10 times more per capita, and South Korea, which has six times more doctors.
"The hospitals are not ready to support the potential cases. Treatment will be limited,” Waryanto, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, told Reuters.
In addition, health workers lack protective equipment and doctors could be vulnerable; eight doctors and one nurse have already died in Indonesia as a result of lack of hygiene in hospitals, according to the Indonesian Doctors Association.
There have been 893 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, and in less than a month virus-related deaths went from zero to 78 dead, and officials suggested – rather alarmingly – that the infections were spreading undetected.
Most recently, Indonesia reported an additional 103 new coronavirus cases in one day, and 20 deaths, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto said.
And although 35 people have recovered from the coronavirus, the country’s healthcare system is on the edge of collapse.
Collapsing infrastructure
Healthcare experts warn that Indonesia is significantly lacking in hospital beds, intensive care facilities and medical staff – all of which would pose a huge risk.
A slow government response could also contribute to a sudden surge in cases.
The Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, a London-based research group, estimates that just two per cent of Indonesia’s coronavirus infections have actually been reported.
If this is the case, it would bring the true number to approximately 34,300 – more than Iran.
"We have lost control, it has already spread everywhere," Ascobat Gani, a public health economist told Reuters.
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"Maybe we will follow Wuhan or Italy. I think we are in the range of that".
The government has denied that this will be the case.
"We won't be like that," said Achmad Yurianto, a senior health ministry official, referring to comparisons with outbreaks in Italy and China.
"What's important is that we rally the people ... they have to keep their distance."
Indonesia’s healthcare system is poor. The country has more than 260 million people, but only 321,544 hospital beds according to health ministry data.
Read More: Lebanon's post-Civil War generation flock to the streets without fear
That’s just 12 beds to 10,000 people compared to South Korea, which has 115 beds per 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In addition, WHO in 2017 found Indonesia had just four doctors per 10,000 compared to Italy, which had 10 times more per capita, and South Korea, which has six times more doctors.
"The hospitals are not ready to support the potential cases. Treatment will be limited,” Waryanto, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, told Reuters.
In addition, health workers lack protective equipment and doctors could be vulnerable; eight doctors and one nurse have already died in Indonesia as a result of lack of hygiene in hospitals, according to the Indonesian Doctors Association.
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