Jakarta, October 18, 2022

The Ministry of Health revealed that acute kidney failure in children has nothing to do with vaccination or COVID-19 infection.

"Until now, the incidence of acute kidney failure has nothing to do with the Covid 19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection," said dr. M Syahril, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health on Tuesday (18/10).

dr. Syahril also said that until now laboratory tests are still being carried out and the exact cause of acute kidney failure in children, although efforts to trace cases of acute kidney failure continue to be carried out by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with epidemiologists, POM Agency, IDAI, and Puslabfor.

Epidemiological investigations are carried out by conducting surveillance and examinations to determine the infections that cause acute kidney failure in children. Examination includes throat swab, anal swab, blood test and possible intoxication.

''Currently, the Ministry of Health and the team are conducting an epidemiological investigation of the community, the team will ask about the various types of drugs consumed and diseases that have been suffered 10 days before entering the hospital/sick. We hope that we can get the results soon as information for further treatment,” said dr. Syahril.

While waiting for the results of further investigations, dr. Syahril said that he had asked health care facilities to increase awareness of the spread of kidney failure in children by actively reporting every case that led to acute kidney failure in children.

Furthermore, as a form of early vigilance, the Ministry of Health asks the public, especially parents with children aged 0-18 years, to actively carry out general monitoring and symptoms that lead to acute kidney failure such as decreased urine volume, fever for 14 days, symptoms of ARI, and symptoms of gastrointestinal infection.

“Acute kidney failure in this child has a characteristic symptom, namely a sudden decrease in urine volume. If the child experiences these symptoms, it should be immediately taken to the nearest health service facility for further examination and treatment,” advised dr. Syahril.

Furthermore, learning from the case that occurred in Gambia, the Ministry of Health also urges the public to use drugs properly and correctly according to the doctor's prescription and the information listed on the drug packaging.

Here are some simple steps that people can take to ensure the consumption of drugs is correct and safe for the body:

1. Use the drug according to the rules of use
2. Do not take the drug more than the prescribed dose
3. Read the warnings on the medicine packaging
4. Make sure the medicine is not expired
5. Do not consume the rest of the syrup that has been opened and stored for a long time
6. Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics to prevent resistance
7. Report the side effects of the drugs you feel to the nearest health worker or through the BPOM Mobile service application
8. Get medicine from an official or licensed pharmacy service facility.

Corona Virus Hotline 119 ext 9. This news was broadcast by the Bureau of Communications and Public Services, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. For further information, please contact the Halo Ministry of Health hotline number via hotline 1500-567, SMS 081281562620, facsimile (021) 5223002, 52921669, and email address [email protected] (MF)