Telemedicine, Health Consulting Service from TIMA Indonesia for COVID-19 Patients

Journalist : Metta Wulandari, Photographer : Metta Wulandari

Weni Yunita helped dr. Andreas, a doctor who is a member of TIMA Indonesia, to operate the Zoom app, in order to prepare the doctor for consulting service in Telemedicine program.

Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Indonesia launched the Telemedicine program since last week. The program is a communication tool that provides health information or can also be referred to as a virtual consulting service intended for COVID-19 patients.

It’s only been a week, but TIMA conducts a maximum of 3 consulting sessions per day. They invite qualified TIMA doctors to handle various patient complaints. Starting at 4 pm to 9 pm, the consulting service is available every day, from Monday to Sunday.

“The TIMA committee has established the Telemedicine program to facilitate. Well, because it’s only been a week since launch, we only open this program to TIMA members, Tzu Chi volunteers, and their immediate families who are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms. We are also looking at what we can possibly develop in the future. If we can add more doctors, also add those who want to consult, we will open it to the general public.” a member of TIMA Indonesia, Weni Yunita explained.

In this week, TIMA is serving 10 patients. Within the process, the patients must register through the given link and include various requirements to be accepted and undergo a consultation. The consultation is conducted via the very private Zoom app -- there is only a doctor and a patient in one Zoom room. This condition keeps the patient’s privacy safe and the patient can openly explain what they are going through. Doctor then provides various understandings on how to safely self-isolate, to prescribe vitamins and medicines if needed.

TIMA Indonesia packs vitamins and medicines for COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms. They will then send these medicines to the Person-In-Charge of each community before being sent to the patients to save on shipping costs.

Another good news is TIMA provides all the necessary vitamins and medicines –- according to the results of consultation with doctor. After that, the patient only needs to stay at home and medicines will be delivered to the address in no time. In this case, they are not charged at all, but one thing, they need to bear the shipping costs of medicines. While, medicines is sent directly from the Person-In-Charge of each community within Greater Jakarta area -- whose profession is also a doctor, adding to the shipping cost savings.

The TIMA’s policy of free medicines makes the patients more relieved. The reason is that it is not uncommon for patients to find it very difficult to find medicines related to COVID-19 nowadays. Even if the medicines are still available, the prices will continue to skyrocket. "While for people who are exposed to the virus, the costs are quite large. The PCR test costs an average of IDR 800,000 and can be repeated many times. What if there are several people in a family? What if there is someone’s income has been substantially reduced due to pandemic, how can they get medicine?”, Weni said. She then explained that Tzu Chi and TIMA did not want to add to the burden on the COVID-19 patients at all.

After patients undergo consultation in Telemedicine program, volunteer observers or doctors in each community still build communication with them. The goal is to monitor and evaluate patients’ health conditions. "The treatment is thorough. Medical personnel walk together with volunteers. This is what we call one family, we are practicing it,” Weni said.

Yekti Utami entrusted the medicines to one of the Tzu Chi Hospital staff. The medicines will then be sent to the patient concerned.

From the sincere service, various positive feedbacks emerged. One of the patients expressed her happiness at having the opportunity to participate in Telemedicine program. She sent the expression of gratitude and thanks to Yekti Utami who is also a member of TIMA Indonesia.

“Thanks for the help, Sister Tami. We received the medicine this morning. Doctor Linda is also on the phone to explain how to take the medicine. I am really touched. This morning my tears have flowed many times. The attention and quick response from TIMA team, the volunteer observer team, community volunteers and doctors, the secretariat team really touched me and my family. I am very grateful,” she said.

This response made TIMA believe that what they do for patients is never in vain as long as the cause is good for community.

Apart from Greater Jakarta area, the program can also be enjoyed by other volunteers in various areas of Indonesia. Such as the Tzu Chi Surabaya Office which has also taken part in the Telemedicine program, including two of their volunteers who also participated in this program. All things related to medicine, Weni hopes that each Liaison Office will be able to assist in the delivery process.

"Indonesia is not doing well right now. Many healthcare workers have fallen ill with COVID-19 as well. We know we are all tired, but we are not going through this alone,” Weni said. “Right now, we have to pay more attention. All of us are now required to do more with our poor condition. So, we have to be together. Can't work alone. Let's build strength, we can help and be useful, God willing!", she concluded.

Moral Support for Residents Undergoing Self-Isolation

One of the photos was when Puspawati delivered food to the house of a resident who underwent self-isolation at the end of July 2021.

In addition to Telemedicine program from TIMA Indonesia, moral support is also very much needed by someone who is undergoing self-isolation. In each community, Tzu Chi volunteers deliver food to fellow volunteers and the general public who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, has lasted until today.

For example, in He Qi North 1 Community, they created a companion group for residents or volunteers who are undergoing self-isolation. Volunteers who are healthy or who are not caring for sick families are encouraged to cook food for those who are sick.

“We are trying to make those who are undergoing self-isolation can get enough rest and not worry about ordering vegetables or food. Because at first they felt a fever, sore throat, lost smell, they were so weak and couldn't even eat much. So with this food, hope they get well soon,” a Tzu Chi volunteer, Puspawati said.

Usually the cooked food prepared by the volunteers of He Qi North 1 Community is delivered via online motorcycle taxis. But for those whose houses are not too far away, Puspawati often delivers the food by herself and puts them in a basket that has been installed on the fence of the people who are undergoing self-isolation.

Helping others meet their daily food needs during self-isolation brought joy to Puspawati's heart. With the food that she shared with others, she hope she can raise the spirits of those who are undergoing self-isolation and make them recover soon.

The lunch boxes that Puspawati prepared for one of the residents who underwent self-isolation.

The volunteers of He Qi East Community did the same thing. Wie Sioeng met many families who were affected when the backbone of their family was exposed to COVID-19. "There was one who was exposed to COVID-19, his business was selling food at the counter. Because of COVID-19, he couldn't sell and it affected his family’s economy,” Wie Sioeng said.

Therefore, it is natural for those who have the freedom to show empathy to those who are experiencing difficulties during the pandemic. Wie Sioeng has given intense attention to several families from the beginning to recovery. “There was a family, we sent cooked food every day as long as they were in self-isolation for about 2 weeks. There was also a family at the beginning of their self-isolation, we sent ready-to-eat food followed by the distribution of basic necessities and dry food that they could cook. There was also a family who only sent basic necessities that they could cook later,” he added.

The breakfast boxes that Wei Siong distributes are all neatly and hygienically packaged as a manifestation of the values of Gratitude, Respect, Love (left photo). In his car, Wei Siong has prepared several packages of basic necessities and masks (right photo).

Empathy is not only aimed at residents who are undergoing self-isolation, but also people in need whom Wie Sioeng meets on the street. The breakfast boxes or basic necessities packages that he distributes are all neatly and hygienically packaged as a manifestation of the values of Gratitude, Respect, Love (Gan En, Zhun Zhong, Ai).

"I pack it up neatly, learn from Master Cheng Yen's teachings, give them a decent and a good things like what we wear or eat," Wei Sioeng said. The empathy shown by Wei Sioeng also aims to set a good example for his children so that in the future they can continue the relay of love to anyone in need.

“We are happy to be able to share and provide any help we can for needy people through difficult times and we are by their side at that time. As Master Cheng Yen says, 'Our life is meaningful when we benefit others,'" he concluded.

Translator: Vincent Salimputra (Tzu Chi Volunteers)

TIMA Indonesia Telemedicine, Another Form of Health Social Service during the Pandemic

March 18, 2022

TIMA (Tzu Chi International Medical Association) Indonesia Telemedicine Service has made a great contribution and provided inner peace for patients with Covid-19. More than 218 patients consulted directly with TIMA doctors and received drug packages along with vitamins.