"We have to prepare a health reserve system. We have to identify it, especially since we have faced various humanitarian disasters, such as tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and pandemics," Sadikin noted while attending the declaration of the health reserve in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
The minister remarked that during a signing ceremony between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto acknowledged the importance of preparing health reserves in anticipation of various health disasters.
Akin to any other country maintaining and defending its state sovereignty, Indonesia too is preparing to reserve soldiers to anticipate war among humans, Sadikin remarked.
Likewise, the Health Ministry, with the available budget, must be even more prepared since health disasters might be causal to a high victim count, the minister remarked.
"That is why it is important for us to prepare for a health backup system. I am an impatient person. Therefore, after this, I want the training for handling disasters will be started. The concept will be prepared carefully, and the ministry will help if needed," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the ministry's secretary general, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, remarked that the dissemination of information regarding health reserve workers is expected to help strengthen the Indonesian health system.
Health reserves that have been prepared can be mobilized at any time to reach the disaster location which then will be strengthened by evaluation, he remarked.
"On the launch of the health reserve today, I want to introduce and socialize to the public, institutions, and cross-sectors to jointly build an understanding in the provision of health workers," he stated.
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Translator: Abdul Kadir, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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