The medicine and medical equipment assistance complemented the humanitarian aid that Indonesia had extended to Sri Lanka earlier, the embassy noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
In total, the aid weighed 3.1 tons valued at US$1.6 million (Rp23.24 billion).
On Thursday (April 28), Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing symbolically handed over the assistance to Sri Lanka's Health Minister Channa Jayasumana accompanied by WHO representative for Sri Lanka Alaka Singh.
In his address, Jayasumana highly praised the Indonesian government and pharmaceutical industry for their quick response to Sri Lanka's request for assistance.
Meanwhile, Singh also praised the Indonesian government and other relevant parities in the two countries for their close and intensive coordination, thereby enabling them to successfully collect and sent the assistance in a short period of time.
The aid package from Indonesia comprised 10 types of cytostatic drugs, one type of supplement for cancer sufferers and eight types of medical equipment, including Precut Silk & T-Silk Non Absorbable Suture, in accordance with the Sri Lankan government's request.
Indonesia, supported by the pharmaceutical industry, is the first country to give a positive response to the Sri Lanka government's request, through coordination among the Foreign Ministry, Health Ministry, and WHO.
The quick response from all stakeholders in Indonesia demonstrated its care for Sri Lanka and understanding of the importance of essential medicines and medical equipment for the people of Sri Lanka, the embassy stated.
The Health Ministry of Sri Lanka has distributed some of the Indonesian aid to several government-owned hospitals, including the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila), and National Cancer Institute (RS Apeksha).
The assistance demonstrated strong relations between both nations that will celebrate seven decades of diplomatic ties established since 1952.
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Translator: Yuni Arisandy S, Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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