From the health development perspective, which was delayed due to the pandemic, it must be accelerated now.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia needs to step up health development to make the pandemic-to-endemic transition, head of the Health Ministry's communication and public service bureau, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, has said.

"From the health development perspective, which was delayed due to the pandemic, it must be accelerated now," she stated via a text message received here on Wednesday.

According to her, the acceleration of health development will include the strengthening of services at primary health facilities, referral services, and health security in the form of medicines, vaccines, and medical device availability.

Tarmizi further said that if the community can escape from the pandemic situation, which has been witnessed in Indonesia for three years, the condition in the country can recover and the national economy can move again.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revoked the public activity restrictions (PPKM) policy on December 30, 2022. However, the community is still being encouraged to remain alert to and aware of COVID-19 risks.

During the enforcement of the PPKM policy, many new habits were promoted among the community, such as wearing masks in crowded areas, washing hands with soap, and adopting other clean living habits.​​​​​​​

Tarmizi suggested that good things like maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle be continued in the current condition to prevent disease transmission.

"Good things, of course, (include) healthy behaviors such as a clean and healthy lifestyle, regularly washing hands, wearing masks when sick, and getting immunized in accordance with government programs," she said.

With the revocation of the PPKM policy, the economy and tourism are expected to develop again from previously being hindered during the pandemic.

The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of March 7, 2023, the nation has recorded 6,737,606 COVID-19 cases, 6,573,749 recoveries, and 160,934 deaths.

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Translator: Fitra Ashari, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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