Health Minister Asserts President's Orders: 'Public Health Over Economy'
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Petir Garda Bhwana
Senin, 21 Juni 2021 13:30 WIB
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin gives a press statement regarding the arrival of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine upon arrival from Beijing at the Cargo Terminal at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Sunday, April 18, 2021. Millions of vaccines were then brought to Bio Farma Bandung before being distributed to cities and districts in Indonesia. ANTARA/Muhammad Iqbal
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in Monday’s virtual press conference answered questions regarding the President’s orders amidst the Covid-19 case surge, which mainly asked whether Joko “Jokowi” Widodo prioritizes public health or the economy.
“Between the economy and public health, which is the President more towards?” Minister Budi reiterated the question aimed at him. “The President prioritizes public health.”
According to the Minister, the President’s orders are clear that the two aspects cannot be separated under the argument that economic issues will not be solved if the public health aspect is not solved.
Previously reported, a number of epidemiologists and health practitioners requested the government to hit the ‘emergency brake’ policy in either imposing a large-scale social restriction (PSBB) or lockdown to help suppress the spread of the coronavirus.
The experts insist that public healthcare must be championed over economic decisions. A Covid-19 volunteer group had even created an online petition urging Jokowi to impose a lockdown before the viral spread overwhelms Indonesia’s healthcare facilities.
