"All parties such as government employees and hospital workers involved in distributing fake vaccines must receive severe punishment," YLKI Executive Chairman Tulus Abadi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI) has asked the government to take a firm stance against distributors of fake vaccines.

"All parties such as government employees and hospital workers involved in distributing fake vaccines must receive severe punishment," YLKI Executive Chairman Tulus Abadi said here Wednesday.

If it is proved that the management of a hospital is involved in the falsification, use and distribution of fake vaccines, it should be dealt with through both criminal and civil cases, he said.

If those involved are civil servants they can be given the heaviest sanction in the form of removal from their posts. "Private company employees should also be taken to court to face the criminal process to receive punishment," Tulus Abadi noted.

Private hospitals which are found to have knowingly used fake vaccines should have their licenses revoked or should be shut down.

"The victims of fake vaccines can file a lawsuit against the hospital concerned," he said.

The police had named 18 persons as suspects in the circulation of fake vaccines, Director of Economic and Special Crimes Affairs of the Criminal Department of the National Police Brig Gen Agung Setya said earlier.

Of the suspects, 16 have been detained while two others were underage, he said.

No state hospitals have been found to be involved in the fake vaccine case. However, 14 private hospitals in Java and Sumatra could be involved.

In the meantime, Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) last month asked the government - which implements the vaccination program and investigates the case of spurious vaccines - to provide information in a transparent manner to people.

"We need to inform the public about the ramifications of spurious vaccines. We hope that the government will release the information in a transparent manner without causing any panic," KPAI Commissioner Erlinda said in Jakarta Wednesday (June 29).

She wanted the government to reveal the details of the investigation and also propose solutions.

The KPAI hoped that the government would also come out with the complete truth about any possible harm that could come to infants who were administered counterfeit vaccines.

The commission will ensure that the government protects the rights of these children as victims, Erlinda promised.

"The KPAI will ensure that the childrens rights are protected, and they receive intensive care and non-material compensation. The health ministry should also ensure that these children receive proper vaccinations again," she stated.

The government must remain focused on this case, and it should be resolved properly and in a transparent manner, head of the KPAI Asrorun Niman emphasized.

"One of the steps is to ensure that children are vaccinated at centres where only genuine vaccines are available and health and safety standards are adequate," Niam stressed.

The commission has also coordinated with the health ministry, the police headquarters and the task force handling the spurious vaccines case, Niam said in conclusion. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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