Of course, health will continue to be an important priority
Jakarta (ANTARA) - State Secretary Minister Pratikno echoed the government's undeterred focus on handling COVID-19 in the health sector in spite of attempting to strike a balance along with economic recovery.

"Of course, health will continue to be an important priority. Now, we are in the stage of soon preparing the vaccines," Pratikno noted in a statement at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Wednesday.

Pratikno made the statement following the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 82 of 2020 concerning the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery signed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on July 20, 2020.

The Perpres is a manifestation of a "gas and brakes" concept voiced by President Jokowi to balance and integrate the COVID-19 handling and economic recovery efforts.

"This committee is intended to integrate health and economic policies that are often described by the President as (the vehicle’s) gas and brakes, and both must be handled in a balanced manner," Pratikno pointed out.

Pratikno made assurance that the government's efforts to deal with COVID-19 pandemic would not slacken, but in fact, pointed to Bio Farma being in the stage of vaccine production, while clinical trials for the vaccine are conducted by the Faculty of Medicine of Padjajaran University.

"In this case, the policy committee comprises coordinating ministers under the directives of the president along with the finance minister and health minister. The chief executive is the state enterprises minister tasked with synergizing two task forces, specifically the COVID-19 task force that continues to function and is supported in an integrated manner, and the economic task force," Pratikno added.

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Translator: Desca LN, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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