UNS — The Center for Democratic and National Defence (Pusdemtanas) Institute for Research and Community (LPPM) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta organizes a discussion on Legal Protection Concept for Medical Staff in Covid-19 Patients Handling. The discussion was conducted through a virtual and face-to-face meeting at UNS Inn, Wednesday (9/6/2021), inviting Prof. Jamal Wiwoho as the Rector of UNS and the Head of Research Team, alongside the Director of UNS Hospital, Prof. Hartono, and the Head of Pusdemtanas LPPM UNS, Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus. Also attending the occasion are the Head of LPPM UNS, Prof. Okid Parama Astirin, and the Chairman of UNS Academic Senate, Prof. Adi Sulistiyono.
Prof. Jamal states that, at the end of 2019, the Covid-19 virus was found in Wuhan. Not only causing a great plague in Wuhan, but the virus was also spread to other countries, including Indonesia. “The Covid-19 cases in Indonesia keep increasing. The medical staff as the front line must work hard in dealing with the Covid-19 cases. Many of them were alienated from society, facing violence, defamation, and prohibition to go home due to the negative assumption of bringing virus home as well as other stigmas,” Prof. Jamal explains.
Whereas medical staff is a noble job, society sometimes still views them negatively. Many are reported under an accusation of diagnosing people with Covid-19 when they don’t. “Hence, legal protection is needed for the medical staff in handling the Covid-19 patients. This aims to give peace of mind for the medical staff in providing the high-risk health service,” Prof. Jamal added.
Prof. Hartono, as the second speaker, mentions that according to the Decree of the Minister of Health No. 216 of 2020, UNS Hospital is designated as one of the Covid-19 Detection Laboratory. Additionally, the UNS Hospital is assigned as a Second-in-Line Referral Hospital in Central Java according to Governor Decree No. 445/46 of 2020 regarding Second-in-Line Referral Hospital for the Handling of Certain Emerging Infectious Diseases in Central Java.
In providing health care services to the Covid-19 patients, the UNS Hospital equips its medical personnel with complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Even more, specifically for the health personnel with direct contact with the patients, a four-hour shift rotation is implemented. While providing health services, the UNS Hospital must face lawsuits from the Covid-19 patients’ families. “We were (UNS Hospital) once reported by the patient’s family. The case was, the patient was passed away when the swab PCR test result is not yet available. Thus, according to the regulation, the deceased patient must be buried according to Covid-19 protocol. However, later it was found out that the test returned a negative result. This offends the patient’s family members, which leads to lawsuits,” Prof. Hartono reveals.
Prof. Hartono adds that the UNS Hospital has a legal aid team to resolve law-related cases. With the hope that the medical personnel can work in peace. “Ideally, there must be a provision at national level or government regulation for the health care worker’s legal protection. Considering that there was a stigma in the community, not including the lawsuits from the patients’ family members,” Prof. Hartono added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sunny states that health care workers must face numerous risks, not only a health risk but also legal risk. “Therefore, a regulation providing legal protection for the health care worker is needed,” she explains. Humas UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti