TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) Minister Johnny G. Plate on Tuesday announced the country’s Rp255.3 trillion healthcare budget in 2022 will be focused on continuing to fund the Covid-19 mitigation.

“The budget will be focused to prepare for pandemic risk handling,” said the minister in a statement on August 17.

He said the funds will be focused on funding better testing, tracing, and treatment, along with boosting the national mass-vaccination and strengthening the health protocol monitoring. The funds will also be used to reform the healthcare system, reduce stunting, and guarantee the national healthcare insurance system.

This 2022 budget allocation is said to be significantly lower compared to this year’s Rp326.4 trillion but he assures that the national Covid-19 vaccine production will be backed to realize the national healthcare system and pharmacy independence.

“As an independent nation, Indonesia must be able to produce its own vaccines,” said the minister.

He also announced that social protection will also be covered under next year’s Rp427.5 trillion budget plan which will mainly be used to fulfill the basic needs of people living under the poverty line. The long term goal, Johnny added, is to cut the chain of poverty in Indonesia.

“The government continues to commit to controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and provide assistance for affected people,” the Kominfo minister said.

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FRISKI RIANA