Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) - Ustadz Abdul Somad, a popular Muslim preacher with millions of followers across Indonesia, handed over 400 hazmat suits and medical gloves to 8 COVID-19 referral hospitals in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau Province, on Tuesday.
The items were provided by Bandung-based organization, Barisan Bangun Negeri (BBN), led by Ustadz Hanan Attaki.
Wearing a face mask and medical gloves, Ustadz Abdul Somad, commonly referred to as UAS, visited each of the hospitals -- Syafira, Arifin Achmad, Petala Bumi, Awal Bross, Ibnu Sina, Prima, Aulia, and Madani to hand over the personal protective equipment (PPE).
He was accompanied by several members of the Friends of UAS in Pekanbaru.
The BBN had mandated the UAS to distribute the PPEs to the receiving hospitals.
Ustadz Abdul Somad said he was amazed by the work of doctors, nurses, and paramedics on the frontlines of the fight against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"I have just worn my medical gloves for 15 minutes, but I am sweating and (they feel) uncomfortable. I cannot imagine the discomfort that the paramedics may be feeling during their working hours. They may also be feeling worried about their families at home," the preacher pointed out.
After handing over the PPEs, he recited a prayer, seeking safety and strength for frontline doctors and paramedics.
Ustadz Abdul Somad thanked the BBN team members and those of Pekanbaru-based Muslim philanthropic organization, Dompet Dhuafa, for providing the data and contacting the receiving hospitals.
The Indonesian Government had reported the first confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 2, and since then the country has been making efforts to curb the spread of infections. As of April 21, Indonesia has reported 7,135 confirmed cases and 616 deaths.
The new coronavirus diseases initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019 before spreading across the globe.
