Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian government has provided 11 private telemedicine (distance health services) to serve COVID-19 patients who are doing self-isolation, free of charge.

“There are 11 telemedicine applications. They work to reduce the pressure in the hospitals. So, the hospitals are only for the needy," said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan in a virtual press conference on Monday.

He explained that the service can be accessed by those who need consultations with doctors regarding guidelines for consuming drugs or vitamins and activities during the health recovery period at home.

Telemedicine services that can be accessed by self-isolated patients at home for free are Alodokter; Getwell; Good Doctor; Halodoc; Click Doctor; ClinicGo; Healthy Links; Milvik Doctor; ProHealth; HealthyQ; and YesDok.

The government appreciates the participation of the private sector in free telemedicine services to people in need.

On the same occasion, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said patients with mild symptoms were advised to self-isolate at home. They are positive for COVID-19 but have oxygen saturation above 95, do not experience shortness of breath, and do not have comorbidities.

Self-isolation at home aims to reduce the risk of patients with mild symptoms infected by the virus. The risk tends to be higher in hospitals. In addition, patients feel more comfortable and safer at their homes rather than at hospitals, said Budi.

"But, if you feel shortness of breath with comorbid and saturation below 95, then you have to go to a hospital," he added.

Reporting by Indonesia Window