Doctors and paramedics put on alert
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)