Gov't Asked to Monitor In-Person Learning to Contain Hepatitis Outbreak

TheIndonesia.id - Several figures have called for the government to closely monitor the in-person learning at schools to prevent further spread of acute hepatitis that has become a global outbreak.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani said in-person learning must be executed very carefully, especially since the majority of recent acute cases are found in children.

“The government has to continuously monitor in-person learning to protect students from the spread of acute hepatitis,” Maharani said on Friday, May 13, as reported by Antara.

Similarly, official from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture also agreed on the importance of closely monitoring school activities, particularly as Indonesia continues to struggle with COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are two concerns regarding in-person learning – related to COVID-19 situation after Idul Fitri 2022 and related to probable hepatitis cases in the public,” deputy for health quality improvement and population development at the Ministry Agus Suprapto said.

Therefore, to prevent further outbreak of acute hepatitis among students, the Ministry ordered all educational institutions to rigorously implement health protocols.

Furthermore, chairman of the Indonesian Pediatric Society, or IDAI, Piprim Basarah Yanuarso warned parents to also take part in ensuring necessary health protocols take place in households.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve learned how to contain the transmission of the virus through respiratory system by wearing mask, maintaining distance, and washing hands. And to contain the spread of acute hepatitis in children, it can be done by also preventing transmission through the gastrointestinal system by consuming cooked, unpolluted foods,” the health expert explained.