The Indonesian House through its COVID-19 Task Force has proactively joined the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Indonesia by continuously distributing medical drugs, herbal medicine package of Herbavid-19, and personal protective equipment (APD) to those who are in dire needs across the country, Vice Speaker for Economy and Finance Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said.  

Along with those aids, House’s COVID-19 Task Force also distributed rapid test kits to many hospitals in Special Capital Region of Jakarta and other areas throughout Indonesia. He made the comments after receiving the Indonesian Herbal Medicine (Jamu) Association’s visit in his office at Nusantara Building III, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/5/2020).  

"We, all the Leaders and Members of the Indonesian House, especially members of the COVID-19 national task force, will keep providing assistance not only in the form of medicine but also medical PPE, including rapid-test kits, to hospitals in Jakarta and other regions,” the Gerindra Party politician said. 

In line with Dasco, Deputy Chair of Commission IX (demography, health, manpower, and transmigration) of the House Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena shared after attending the meeting that the House keeps playing an active role in carrying out its noble duty to provide assistance to all Indonesian people. Among the main items that we provide were Herbavid-19, medical PPE, and other supplies for COVID-19 patients in some hospitals, health centers, and houses where they sheltered in self-quarantine. Lena -- better known among his colleagues as Melki -- said that the Indonesian House has also recently set up a community food bank to help the wider community. 

"As of now, the Indonesian House has distributed and will keep on distributing aid. I think we have been distributing thousands of supplies in various provinces, regencies, and municipalities. For your information, the Indonesian House has distributed a wide range of supplies. Previously, we distributed PPEs and Herbavid-19s, and currently, we just distributed essential food supplies and foods for iftar (breakfasting) and suhoor (pre-dawn meal) in 10 different locations. The House will continue to cooperate with all stakeholders to carry out humanitarian actions to help communities in numerous regions who need a more concrete role of the Indonesian House," the Golkar Party politician said. (pun/sf)