Doctors and paramedics put on alert
JAKARTA (JP): Police are deploying 157 doctors and paramedics as well as 80 ambulances to anticipate possible unrest and casualties during the campaign period and general election.
The medical workers will be stationed at the City Police Headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta, and at police makeshift health posts in the capital.
Police will also be assisted by members of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), the military health team, the Ministry of Health's Jakarta office as well as doctors in employment of several private companies.
Head of the city police health unit Col. Eddy S.P. said on Tuesday a total of 43 mobile health clinics would also be readied to respond to sudden calls for help across the city.
"We've learned from the bloody incidents in May and November (last year) that we were so poorly prepared at the time we could not even give first aid," Eddy told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The colonel also said the team was scheduled to start their 24-hour duty on Tuesday evening.
Addressing journalists after an inspection on the readiness of the team, Eddy said the health clinic inside the police headquarters compound would be opened to the public. Starting Wednesday, it will operate 24 hours.
"Don't think that we are different from any other medical team (just because we are from the police). Medical teams are the same all over the world," Eddy said.
"What we care about is helping others, regardless whether they are military members, police or civilians," Eddy said.
City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman, who inspected the team, said the establishment of the medical team was needed because nobody would want to see any casualties resulting from the campaigning or the general election.
Noegroho asked the medical workers to first look after their own health. "Don't let yourselves get sick because there's a heavy task waiting ahead of you," he told the medical workers.
Noegroho paid special attention to two of the medical workers' vehicles because they were painted red. The two vans were donations from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) whose color is red.
"Will these (vehicles) be painted white also?" he asked two men standing by the vans.
One of them replied, "Yes sir, but later, after the general election."
Separately, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated a joint communication post for representatives of the 48 political parties contesting the June poll.
He urged party leaders from Jakarta chapters at the post, situated at city hall, to be on alert during campaigning for possible unrest or clashes among supporters.
"They should be able to effectively handle clashes because only they can easily recognize their own parties' supporters," he said.
The post is equipped with TV monitors and other communication equipment. Three B0-105 helicopters are also prepared for the post operation. (emf/ind)