The declaration and acceleration of the Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women in North Sumatra Province was carried out in collaboration with the North Sumatra POGI, Salim Group, North Sumatra Provincial Government, North Sumatra Health Office, Medan Health Office, USU, USU Hospital, North Sumatra IBI, North Sumatra Communications and Information Service and several other relevant agencies.

This declaration is the government's first step in protecting pregnant women in North Sumatra from being infected with Covid-19.The Covid-19 preventive vaccine for pregnant women is one of the measures to prevent the death of pregnant women.Until July 2021, the data recorded at the district/city Health Office for the number of maternal deaths in North Sumatra were 119 cases of death.Of which 27 cases were caused by Covid-19.There are 79 pregnant women infected with Covid-19, spread across 17regencies/cities in North Sumatra.

This was explained by the Governor through a speech read by the Acting Head of the Provsu Health Office accompanying the declaration."The central government, along with the provincial and district/city governments, has made various efforts to prevent and control Covid-19 and now it is more specifically targeted at pregnant women. Pregnant women are a group that is vulnerable and at high risk if infected with Covid-19, so this must be done prevention efforts through vaccination targeting pregnant women whose gestational age is between 13 to 33 weeks," he explained.

Medan Mayor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, who also gave a speech, emphasized that vaccination is safe for pregnant women.He hoped that pregnant women in North Sumatra would not be infected withthe Covid-19 and has to undergo isolation.

“Currently, there are 8,078 pregnant women who have stated their willingness to be vaccinated.We hope that all pregnant women can immediately get thevaccine," said Bobby.

The Mayor of Medan also asked for prayers and serious efforts from the entire community to comply with the health protocol, so that the City of Medan, which is currently still in level 4 status, can immediatelylower its status to level 3.

Meanwhile, USU Rector Dr Muryanto Amin, SSos, MSi, in his remarks stated that this pandemic has brought serious problems in the economic and social fields.For this reason, he stressed that the handling must be done properly and carefully, because the economicand social aspects are equally important.

“USU through the USU Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Public Health and other work units always strives to assist the government and the community in efforts to overcome the Covid-19 with various activities, including public health services, conducting research on Covid-19, innovations for preventive measures and handling and serving the community by being directly involved in field activities, mass rapid tests and administering vaccines,” the Rector said.

Currently, he continued, for Covid-19 services to the community, USU Hospital has been equipped with PCR swab facilities, a special emergency room for suspected/confirmed Covid-19 patients,temporary isolation rooms, Covid inpatient isolation rooms, ICU and NICU specifically for Covid and pressurized operating rooms. negative specifically for Covid.USU also continues to try to mobilize the communityto carry out vaccines.

"Especially for the prevention of pregnant women, USU Hospital has started the Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women since August 25, 2021 and was greeted with enthusiasm by quite a lot of fans.This is indicated by the daily quota of vaccinations which is always full.Vaccination is not the end of efforts to prevent someone from being exposed to Covid-19. Instead, it must be supported by anticipatory measures in the form of implementing health protocols that are no less important, such as implementing the 6M health protocol, wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, reducing mobility and avoiding eating. together.Hopefully this vaccination activity for pregnant women will have a positive impact and become one of the important steps in our efforts to prevent transmission and reduce the risk of the impact of Covid 19 onpregnant women," the Rector said.

Also present at the launch were the Chairman of the Provsu PKK TP, the Medan City PKK Head, the Provsu Health Head, the Medan City Health Office, the Provsu Kominfo Head, Acting Head of the North Sumatra BKKBN Representative Office, the Provsu Covid Task Force Chair, the North Sumatra Branch POGI Chairman, the President Director of RSUP H Adam Malik, President Director of USU Hospital along with other board of directors, Head of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection and Community Empowerment Medan City, Head of PD Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) North Sumatra Branch and Chair of PC IBI Medan Branch, as well as other administrators of women's organizations Forkopimda North Sumatra.(RJ/©ULC)

Author: Renny Julia Harahap - PR

Interviewee: - - -

Photographer: Amri Simatupang - PR