TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After being appointed as the new Health Minister by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, Budi Gunadi Sadikin presented several corrective steps that he will take to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. One of them is improving the public health service system.

"We will build a strong public health service system together that is ready to solve the SARS-CoV-2 issues," said Budi at a press conference in Jakarta Merdeka Palace on Tuesday, December 22, 2020.

The system, Budi added, cannot be developed by the Health Ministry alone but must be supported by local government authorities and all existing stakeholders.

"It is impossible for the Health Ministry to do it exclusively. We have to do it inclusively. And we believe, it is not enough for the government to make its own programs, but it requires a joint movement carried out by all Indonesian people," Budi remarked.

Budi Gunadi and the five other new ministers of the 'Indonesia Onward' Cabinet will be sworn in on December 23, 2020. Budi previously served as Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE).

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many elements including health experts have criticized former health minister Terawan's poor handling of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Budi Gunadi Sadikin who had a long career in banking affairs was considered capable of handling health insurance issues.

DEWI NURITA