UNS — The Covid-19 pandemic that affects Indonesia since March 2020 has brought sad stories for the survivors, doctors, healthcare workers, and volunteers. Despite education and socialization, some people still do not believe that the novel coronavirus strain exists. Some even consider it as a conspiracy and treats doctors, healthcare workers, and volunteers poorly. This poor treatment occurred to the member of the Coordinating and Executing Board (Bakorlak) of Search and Rescue (SAR) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Supriyanto Nugroho, who is volunteering as burial worker for Covid-19 patient bodies in Sragen.
Supriyanto, who joined Bakorlak SAR UNS in 2010, shared why he wanted to be a volunteer and the challenges he experienced during the operation. He wanted to join as a volunteer when he heard the story from the volunteer in the Regional Public Hospital of Dr. Moewardi (RSDM) on the difficulties of the burial process in Sragen. The story moved him, Bakorlak SAR UNS in his region, and SAR MTA to initiate the first volunteer group for Covid-19.
His good intention received a rejection from his mother, who later allow him to implement his will after receiving an explanation from him. “Because I could not help with materials, only with my power. From Bakorlak SAR UNS, there are four who volunteer, I, Panji, Imam Muhlisin, and Witanto,” Supriyanto explained to uns.ac.id team on Wednesday (19/5/2021). The volunteers were equipped with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), burial tools, helm, google, boot, mask, bamboo, and ropes in the burial operation.
Refusing Pay
Supriyanto has committed to help and refused any payment for his assistance. This commitment moved his fellows from Bakorlak SAR UNS and other SAR teams. The Vice-Chairman I of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Sragen, Soewarno, called Supriyanto and his fellows as special volunteers because even though the District Government of Sragen has set a budget for their incentive, Supriyanto and team stood by their commitment. He stated that the team does not take the funding and use their money for operational costs. “The funds could be used for other necessities because there are more important and in need of those funds,” he added. Instead, they often collect money for operational needs.
“We work around the clock. For example, on the Eid night, we finished the burial at five in the morning,” he said.
Threat in Operation
Despite his good intention to help others, but not all people received it positively, including people around the burial zones. Supriyanto and the team received poor treatment from the community, such as scorned and threatened. Once, they were almost stoned by people in Gondang Subdistrict, Sragen, when they were about to bury the Covid-19 patient body from Madiun. However, despite the agitation from the community, he still appreciates those who treat them well. “We got a shirt for uniform from a doctor in Sragen community healthcare center, and I am thankful to Mr. Wafir and the senior in SAR UNS who always help us with logistics in Covid-19 burial in Sragen,” he said.
He concluded the interview with a statement that people are free to believe or not believe if Covid-19 exists. But once they are infected, they will believe it, like it or not. He also reminded that for people or family who died from Covid-19, they would not receive help except from the volunteers. “I am sad to witness that. That’s why let’s obey the health protocols to prevent the spread of this virus,” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
