The world, including Indonesia, faces an unprecedented global health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Yayasan Tahija is very concerned to understand that so many health workers as the front liners in saving COVID-19 patients, have been exposed (even to fatality) in performing their duties dealing with patients of COVID-19″ said Dr. Sjakon G. Tahija, Sp.M, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan Tahija.

Yayasan Tahija with supports from the government of the Republic of Indonesia through the Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Management (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (“BNPB”) has been able to import 100,000 KN95 masks, a Filtering Face piece Respirator (FFR) mask that is recommended especially for health professionals who need to be in close contact to directly handle cases with high infectious rates.

On 15 May 2020, the masks were handed over to Yayasan Tahija’s partners, i.e., Yayasan Wahana Visi Indonesia, Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Fatmawati Jakarta, the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing of Gadjah Mada University and PT Austindo Nusantara Jaya Tbk / PT Gading Mas Indonesia Teguh. In collaboration with our partners, the masks will be distributed to health workers in community health centers (Puskesmas) and regional general hospitals (RSUD) in Indonesia, especially several areas in the remote of NTT and Papua. The masks distribution is conducted in coordination with BNPB, the Indonesian Ministry of Health and regional governments.

During a discussion session with our partners, we are happy to understand that the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing of Gadjah Mada University has made several innovations to fight COVID-19. In the discussion, Dr. Mochammad Syafak Hanung, Sp.A, M.P.H, the President Director of RSUP Fatmawati and Mr. Doseba T. Sinay, the CEO of Yayasan Wahana Visi Indonesia also shared their relentless efforts in fighting COVID-19. We believe that together we stand stronger against COVID-19.