Thank God, thanks to all of our cooperation, we can handle the pandemic well.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has asked the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Working Group to continue disseminating information on health issues in Indonesia even though COVID-19 cases are on the decline.

"I want to thank the RCCE Working Group fellows who have helped Indonesia since (the first case of) COVID-19 was found in March 2020. Thank God, thanks to all of our cooperation, we can handle the pandemic well," he remarked in a press release issued on Friday.

The health problems faced by Indonesia cannot be handled by just one ministry or agency, but need the involvement of all parties, the minister added.

Thus, he said he expected the RCCE Working Group to keep helping the government even though COVID-19 has been brought under control since there are many other health problems, which must also be addressed, such as diabetes that can trigger heart and kidney diseases.

"In most cases, it also causes kidney injury. Thus, people need to have dialysis for hours at the hospital every week," Sadikin informed.

He asked the RCCE Working Group to take part in promoting a healthy lifestyle for preventing diabetes among the public in collaboration with the Directorate General of Public Health of the Health Ministry.

The RCCE Working Group was established at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia to ensure that the public gets the right information amid rampant circulation of false information regarding the pandemic.

The working group also plays a role in coordinating COVID-19 response efforts carried out by various institutions at the national and local levels.

The RCCE Working Group also advocates for fair and inclusive COVID-19 handling policies as well as provides inputs on communication strategies to disseminate the latest pandemic situation to the community.

The RCCE Working Group consists of various national and local government institutions, civil organizations, media, private sector, youth organizations, religious organizations, academics, as well as practitioners.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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