Pandemic building momentum for boosting health resilience: Widodo

JAKARTA: President Joko Widodo has said the Covid-19 pandemic could help build the momentum for strengthening health resilience and improving health services in Indonesia.

“This pandemic has given us a lot of lessons. It has made us more aware of shortcomings that we must improve (and overcome),” he observed in his online address on the anniversary of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) from the Presidential Secretariat here. The difficult situation arising from the Covid-19 pandemic may serve as a momentum to reform the national health system, he remarked.

The reform could start from the prevention side, he said adding, the orientation towards disease prevention and a healthy lifestyle is the main priority, which needs support from non-health sectors, requires public awareness and discipline, and support from socio-religious organisations.

Efforts have been made to strengthen the capacity of human resources in the health sector, develop hospitals and health facilities, and boost pharmaceutical and health equipment industry, he informed.

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During the pandemic, domestic researchers and innovators have developed several innovations, he noted.

“(The innovations include) rapid diagnostic tests, emergency ventilator, mobile lab biosafety equipped with PCR (polymerase chain reaction), the use of artificial intelligence for Covid-19 diagnosis, and Covid Track applications to help doctors monitor the mobility of patients. In addition, we also have sped up clinical trials and mass production of the Red and White vaccine,” he elaborated.

He said extraordinary measures must be pursued to cope with public health problems, ranging from communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, to reducing the stunting rate in the country.

“For its part, I hope IDI to be part of the health system reform. The success of the reform not merely hinges on the government’s work, but also requires full support from professional organisations and the public,” he remarked.

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The President said he believes that through the spirit of collaboration, the health system reform can be realised to allow the public to lead a healthy and prosperous life. The role of IDI is not merely limited to integrating the potential of all Indonesian doctors and developing medical science and technology, but also promoting the health levels of the entire Indonesian nation, he said.

“I believe in the long struggle, IDI cannot work alone. IDI is within the ecosystem, which also comprises educational institutions, other professions, industries, and so on. This requires close synergy and cooperation, so IDI can achieve its goals,” he said.

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