With the incorporation of a multilateral cooperation mechanism with UNICEF within the COVAX Facility, guaranteeing speed, availability, and delivery of vaccines, our efforts to accelerate the availability of vaccines to protect the public are on theJakarta (ANTARA) - The Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN) highlighted the government’s sustained efforts to speed up vaccine availability through bilateral and multilateral channels.
Chief Executive of KPCPEN Erick Thohir noted in an official statement in Jakarta on Thursday that in addition to cooperation between Biofarma and Sinovac, Kimia Farma and G42, as well as exploring partnerships with Genexine, CanSino, and AstraZeneca, the government is exploring cooperation with other pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Novafax.
"With the incorporation of a multilateral cooperation mechanism with UNICEF within the COVAX Facility, guaranteeing speed, availability, and delivery of vaccines, our efforts to accelerate the availability of vaccines to protect the public are on the right track," Thohir explained.
Chief Executive of KPCPEN noted that the spirit of mutual cooperation among all parties would be a huge asset for the nation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the midst of the government's efforts, we are upbeat about all of us working together to stay disciplined in implementing health protocols," Thohir stated.
Chief Executive of KPCPEN also noted that various strategic steps, including coordination between ministries and agencies, especially with the Ministry of Health and local governments, were being continually taken to handle and anticipate the widespread impact of the pandemic.
"The steps encompass increasing the ability to test specimens, preparing and increasing the availability of beds at hospitals and isolation rooms, increasing standardization of case handling and supply of healing therapy drugs, and accelerating the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine," he emphasized.
Thohir remarked that these steps had until now yielded positive results. As of Wednesday (Sept 23), daily specimen examinations of COVID-19 had reached 38,181.
"It exceeds the WHO standards and the percentage of recovered patients reaching 73 percent," Thohir, concurrently the minister of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), stated.
Thohir highlighted that the subsequent strategic step was to increase the recovery trend and take precautionary measures against an increase in the number of cases.
"The government ensures that the requirement for treatment of COVID-19 patients at referral hospitals is fulfilled and maintains the availability of isolation facilities for patients with mild or no symptoms. For instance, Wisma Atlet for the DKI Jakarta area and two- and three-star hotels in the region," he stated.
The BUMN minister believes it would reduce the burden on hospitals and medical personnel in addition to limiting spread of the virus and transmission from asymptomatically infected people.
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Translator: Zubi M, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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