Pertamedika IHC leads Indonesia’s pandemic battle through strategic hospital synergy

A centralised command system and unified healthcare facilities were crucial in overcoming the pandemic.

Indonesia’s COVID-19 strategy was built on close cooperation between the Indonesian Government and Pertamedika IHC (Indonesia Healthcare Corporation), who assumed the role of leading the country’s response by uniting 35 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) hospitals in order to create a cohesive pandemic strategy.

The initiative started when 8 SOEs behind the 35 SOE hospitals offloaded their shares to Pertamedika IHC in mid-2020. This approach allowed certain hospitals to be converted into specialised COVID-19 treatment facilities, which provided dedicated care to COVID-19 patients. It also gave Pertamedika IHC greater flexibility in responding to the changing nature of the pandemic.

Soon after, Pertamedika IHC also signed Management Model Cooperation Agreements with 15 SOE subsidiaries and three foundations that together manage 33 SOE hospitals and 2 Teaching Hospitals. These corporate actions brought together 73 of Indonesia’s SOE hospitals and turned Pertamedika IHC into Indonesia’s second-largest hospital group, with an estimated consolidated revenue of Rp 5.2 trillion and asset value of almost Rp 5 trillion.

A united front

Under Pertamedika IHC’s leadership, several modular and extension hospitals were built to cater exclusively to COVID-19 patients. The first initiative is to take immediate action needed to respond to the pandemic. Ramping up hospital infrastructure included the construction of 2 emergency modular hospital with a total capacity of 460 beds and 130 ICU for COVID-19 in a month, equipped with sophisticated collaboration, communication system supported by technology. This includes the usage of e-MR, AI and servant robot, command room, isolated rooms with negative pressures & HEPA Filter, ICU and emergency ward, hemodialysis room for COVID patients,  molecular laboratory for PCR Tests, surgery room, radiology, pharmacy, mortuary room, etc. 

In a span of one month, Pertamina Jaya Hospital (RSPJ) transformed into a Special Hospital for COVID-19 patients, with a brand-new modular hospital also built beside the RSPJ building. Together, these facilities had a combined capacity of 155 beds, including 30 intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Another modular hospital that was built is Rumah Sakit Pusat Pertamina Extension Modular Simprug (RSPP Extention Simprug), equipped with 250 beds including 50 ICU beds.  Pertamedika IHC also provided a safe house, Graha RSPP, and cooperated with hotels to cater to confirmed COVID-positive patients.

Furthermore, all SOE hospitals committed to converting 50% capacity of all their beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients. Total beds available for COVID-19 by the end of 2020 amounted to ~3500 COVID-19 beds including ~500 ICU beds.

Pertamedika IHC was also at the forefront of boosting Indonesia’s testing and isolation capacity. The hospital built a molecular lab PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 across 19 cities in Indonesia, and 2 units of Mobile PCR to support Testing, Tracing, Isolating programme. Pertamedika  IHC set a standard of monitoring, with 30 people tested every single positive case. It implemented a single system in its network of SOE hospitals, ensuring that each hospital is able to treat COVID-19 patients and has sufficient ICU bed capacity.

Another milestone is the development of the “COVID-19 Pandemic Handling Strategy”, which provides medical treatment protocol. Pertamedika IHC  simulated the COVID-19 infection rate in order to anticipate the increasing case rate and for them to make the hospital ready and prepared.  The hospital also mapped out the patient BOR number, supply chain, usage of ICU, needs Personal Protective Equipment (that need inter countries cooperation), and ventilator, in addition to its other initiatives.

For supporting all the handling of COVID-19 patients, Pertamedika IHC developed digital infrastructure such as e-MR and telemedicine platform to improve their services to the patient. This is in addition to monitoring the dashboard of PCR Test number, logistic stocks, patient monitoring, bed capacity, and doctors and nurses schedule, etc., and other digital technology optimisation.

Nationally, Pertamedika IHC  also contributed to supporting the supply chain, antiviral medicines, personal protective equipment, ventilator to black zone regions, and other regions besides supporting the needs of IHC’s hospital groups.

Staying ahead

Moving forward, Pertamedika IHC will continue to transform Indonesia’s healthcare sector even after the pandemic. At present, it is committed to the standardisation of COVID vaccination services, and it continues to create synergies with various parties inside and outside the Pertamedika Group.  

For instance, in April 2021, Pertamedika IHC also teamed up with Google Cloud to launch an integrated health service system for its entire network of 73 state-owned hospitals. Known as the One Solution System (OSS), it is able to synchronise various data sources to help doctors make better medical decisions. By unifying healthcare data that had been previously scattered across different locations, OSS will help provide better care outcomes particularly as the demand for virtual care increases. Digitizing patient data and treatment outcomes through the OSS system will also boost IHC's Pertamedika Digital Research Center.

And from the early year 2021, Pertamedika IHC as the Holding of a BUMN Hospital contributed to the success of the Covid-19 Vaccination program launched by the government in an effort to suppress the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia.

For leading Indonesia’s fight against COVID-19, Pertamedika IHC was awarded Covid Management Initiative of the Year - Indonesia and Hospital of the Year - Indonesia at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2021.

Hear from the hospital's President Director, Dr.dr.Fathema Djan Rachmat, Sp.B, Sp.BTKV (K), MPH., as she brings to light their swiftness in improving hospital infrastructures and in carrying out remarkable strategies in leading Indonesia’s fight against COVID-19.