What are we waiting for when we already have a budget
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo has urged his aides to expedite the disbursement of funding for the payment of COVID-19-related health services, and if deemed necessary, streamline the procedure at the Health Ministry.

"Disbursement of funds should be accelerated for COVID-19-related health services. No complaint should be received," the head of state noted during a limited meeting held to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Merdeka Palace on Monday.

Widodo drew emphasis on applying a more simplified procedure for fund disbursal at the Health Ministry, including compensation for the families of dead patients and incentives for medical and laboratory workers.

"We can simplify clauses in the Ministerial Regulation," he noted.

"What are we waiting for when we already have a budget," the President questioned.

During a cabinet plenary session on June 18, the president appealed to his aides to improve ministerial budget spending, citing that expenditure in the health sector had only reached two percent of the budgeted Rp75 trillion.

The president has also highlighted the need to promptly disburse social assistance and ensure that micro-, small-, and medium-scale businesses have received the necessary economic stimulus.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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