Iswahyudi
"...We work for the people, for the community. So, there are no complaints, nothing at all. It's unclear how much we'll get paid. This job is all about sincerity, volunteering. But for you, what's important is you will gain a lot of knowledge there. You will become skilled in your work, skilled in RNA extraction, skilled in PCR, which is rare for us to obtain. Well, that's what I convey to them. Then what I always remind them of, now do good deeds. And believe that God will repay in ways you don't know." That was the message from Dr. Andani Eka Putra to his laboratory team when interviewed by PadangTV on (5/7/2020).
Amidst the spread of the PKT virus (also known as Covid-19), the name Dr. Andani Ekaputra M.Sc emerged in public and was invited to various media outlets to spread positive leadership in his field. In West Sumatra, Indonesia, Dr. Andani is a familiar name among the people of Padang. Besides being a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University (Unand), he also serves as the Director of the Unand University Hospital and Head of the Diagnostic and Research Center for Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University.
Supported by around 50 laboratory workers who are students, Andani achieved remarkable success in terms of sample examination capacity to detect the PKT Virus. While other laboratories in the country could only examine 100 to 200 samples per day, the FK Unand laboratory could average 800 samples per day. It can now even reach up to 3000 samples per day.
How did Andani manage to achieve such above-average results? Even surpassing the achievements of three major laboratories in Indonesia owned by the Ministry of Health, the Jakarta Provincial Government, and the Eijkman Molecular Biology Institute.
"The laboratory we use initially was my personal research laboratory. Almost all laboratory equipment and supplies are mine. Some I bought myself, some were obtained through cooperation with companies for product development," he explained.
So, when the coronavirus began to enter Indonesia, he prepared to get involved. To assist in laboratory testing, he requested the assistance of medical students from Andalas University, both undergraduate and graduate.
"Praise to God, they agreed. Although from their expressions, I could read signs of anxiety, even fear," said the Tropical Medicine master's graduate from UGM, Yogyakarta.
For the purpose of PKT virus sample examination, Andani was provided with a larger space by the Dean of the FK Unand. In response, the Unand University Rector supported by renovating the laboratory space. The lab permit was issued on March 19, 2020, and the first Covid-19 sample examination took place on March 25, 2020.
When receiving the first samples, the temporary lab workers could not hide their worries and fears. Some even cried. Spontaneously, he explained the work process by giving examples. It didn't take long for the students to get used to it. Andani even admired their very high loyalty. Andani even set a target to be able to examine 300 samples per day. Not to forget, Andani recounted the history of his laboratory. Before being used to examine the coronavirus, all lab equipment was donated to the FK Unand.
".... Around January, all my equipment was donated to the faculty. So that in case I die, these items won't be left without direction. I made a donation letter. It was around (the value red.) 800 million rupiahs in nominal value. Plus the equipment obtained through cooperation with other places. I handed them over to the faculty. It's not important to me. I once said this. Help complete the equipment in my place. Later, if necessary, let all royalties be taken by the faculty, by Unand. I'm not important for royalties. But if I don't have something to work with. How can I produce anything?" Andani revealed.
During the process, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) equipment assistance arrived from the Mayor of Padang. Also, other assistance from the West Sumatra Provincial Government, Paragon, and many other supporting parties. To accelerate sample examination and increase capacity, Andani also requested the procurement of extraction machine. As a result, when the extraction machine arrived, the FK Unand laboratory could examine 2,500 samples per day.
"Until today, no laboratory in Indonesia has been able to exceed the result of 1,100 per day. Both the research laboratories of the Ministry of Health, DKI Jakarta Health Research and Development Agency, and the Eijkman Molecular Biology Institute. Because, outside of our laboratory at the FK Unand, those three are considered large," he reported his work to the Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, General Doni Monardo, a few days ago.
This is a tale of heroism amidst a pandemic that can inspire many. Epidemics are not to be lamented or cursed. Epidemics must be faced with true patriotic spirit. And in times of crisis, it is the perfect opportunity to test who a leader or a figure truly is.
Nationalism Worth Emulating
The commitment and dedication to work of Andani and his team deserve appreciation, when the country is attacked by an invisible enemy, a sense of responsibility for the fate of this nation needs to be prioritized. As he stated, from the beginning to the lab members, Andani has firmly stated that what they are doing is solely for the nation and the state, in the name of humanity. Regardless of the honorarium, even regardless of how they can live day by day.
"Even for our daily meals, we are assisted by donors. I always emphasize, work with sincerity. Whether there is reward or not, never think about it. This is the time to fight," Andani said spiritedly.
Now, they can not only work for West Sumatra but also assist other regions. Surabaya, which is currently overwhelmed by a large number of exposed victims, even received an offer to have its samples examined in Padang.
Previously, he had assisted requests for examination of PKT virus samples from Palembang, Sambas Regency West Kalimantan, Bengkulu, and several other regions. Unconsciously, the presence of Andani and his laboratory team created a unique pattern of handling the PKT virus, which can be imitated and even applied in other regions. For example, national statistics, the percentage of positive patients treated in hospitals is 66 percent. Whereas in West Sumatra, the percentage treated in hospitals is only 16 percent.
"Nationally, they are trapped in testing PDP while we go straight to OTG," he said. About this, Andani had an interesting analogy, which is better, catching a tiger in a cage or catching a tiger roaming in the jungle. OTG is like a roaming tiger that can prey on anyone.
Regarding this analogy, Andani answered it himself, "Clearly it's better to catch a tiger in the jungle, right?" He added, what was done was PCR testing, not rapid testing. "Enough, if I may advise, leave the rapid test method, which even WHO does not recommend," Andani concluded.
Three Keys to Success
Speaking of the keys to the success of developing the PKT Virus laboratory in West Sumatra, Andani mentioned three keys. First, thanks to the support of the West Sumatra Governor, as well as support from various parties. The second key is nationalism. He and his team work for the nation and the state. The third key is innovation. Andani developed an innovation in sample examination called Pool Test.
"But to avoid misunderstandings, the issue of pool tests must be discussed in a separate explanation," he said.
Not Wanting to be Rich from the Medical Profession, but Benefiting Many People
In an interview on padangTV, Andani said, "...I want someday, before I die. I want to give something to this nation in the form of products used by the community. That is the work of our own nation. Not something we buy from outside, from distributors, not that. ..."
"As a researcher, my greatest pride is when we produce something for this nation. That is my pride. Not becoming a professor, not becoming anything else."
"This nation will advance if it is independent. This nation will not progress if it still depends on others. ..."
"I want something to be useful because the greatest happiness of a person is how they can give the best to others. That's the most important thing."
"It means we have principles. Our life has principles. What I am doing now is not without a reason. Everything is by process, since I was in college. My life principle is clear. I don't want to get what is not rightfully mine. I don't want to receive more than what I should. I won't accept comfort without hard work. If I get something less than what I deserve, it's okay for me. Because life is not measured by money. Honestly, since I graduated as a doctor, I've always thought, I will never become rich from being a doctor."
This doctor, who doesn't have social media accounts, said in a podcast channel Disway, "The most important thing is our way of thinking, sir. That we think for this nation. Not just talking. Not just for appearances."
Once, Andani and his team were asked to do swab tests at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) and did not charge a fee, "The pesantren called me, how much is the cost? The cost is none, it's free. (There are plans to test a thousand people, Red), I asked, Is the pesantren a modern one with expensive fees? If the parents cannot afford it, it's free. But if the parents can afford it, the pesantren is wealthy, I said we are not doing business. I gave them my account number, Please transfer the money, it's a donation fee. I didn't look at the amount. The service is the same. Whether you give 500 thousand, one million, two million, five hundred million, it's up to you," Andani revealed.
"If we calculate, I'm rich, sir. Once it's commercialized, whoa. Just one million, how much is that? This could be an opportunity to become rich, sir. I said. But no. I don't want to be rich in that way," Andani concluded.