Government Mourns The Death Of 711 Nurses Due To COVID-19

JAKARTA - The government expresses its deepest condolences for the deaths of 711 nurses in Indonesia due to COVID-19 within two years of the pandemic.

"During the past two years, the number of health workers who have confirmed COVID-19 is 9,423. We are also sorry for the deaths of 711 nurses who died due to COVID-19. This is our deepest condolences," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Kunta Wibawa Dasa. Nugraha in the 48th National Nurses Day webinar which was followed by Zoom in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, March 17.

Kunta said the government was committed to protecting and prospering nurses in Indonesia.

"For policy, we want nurses to be on the front line not only as vaccinators, but also services in hospitals. So, we provide various kinds of facilities and training to nurses," he said.

The facilities in question, such as lodging for self-isolation, transportation to incentives.

In addition, said Kunta, the government is also committed to encouraging educational scholarships for nurses in order to increase competence in serving the community.

"We are opening scholarships for nurses in remote areas, prioritizing higher education. This is one of the six pillars. The fifth pillar is about improving the quality of human resources development, number of human resources, distribution of health workers throughout Indonesia," he said.

Previously, Indonesian President Joko Widodo in his opening speech expressed his gratitude to all Indonesian nurses for their dedication and hard work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I also express my condolences and deep condolences for the deaths of 711 nurses while carrying out their noble duties of helping sick people," he said.

The government pays respects by awarding the honorary star of service to the heirs, said the President.