HKN Today, Sowing Remembers 2,087 Health Workers Who Died Due To COVID-19

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes), Dante Saksono Harbuwono, led the flower sowing procession which was held simultaneously in various regions in commemoration of National Health Day (HKN). This activity is the highest form of respect for 2,087 health workers who died while struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deputy Minister of Health directly led the flower sowing activity initiated by the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) from the Pondok Ranggon Public Cemetery (TPU), Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Dante said that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused more than 160 thousand deaths in Indonesia. He emphasized that thousands of health workers including doctors, nurses, anesthetic staff, pharmacists, and other health workers were heroes who stood at the forefront.

"If they don't fight at the forefront, maybe the victims can be more than 160 thousand, maybe even millions like in several other countries," said Dante.

Symbols Of Dedication And Dignity Of Profession

According to the Deputy Minister of Health, the sacrifices of health workers are not just stories, but human values that must be maintained. They work unconditionally, providing expertise to save people in the most difficult times in national health history.

"They are health heroes who have given something more, and maybe a lot of lives have been saved thanks to their help," he said.

The government through the Ministry of Health pays the highest respect and makes the names of the doctors and medical personnel who died a symbol of the dedication and dignity of the health profession in Indonesia.

Dante hopes that this flower sowing procession can be carried out regularly every year in commemoration of HKN, in order to maintain public memory of the heroic struggle of health workers during the pandemic.

Appreciation From Families Who Died

In the event at TPU Pondok Ranggon, four family representatives from doctors and medical personnel who died were present, from the Cempaka Putih Islamic Hospital (RSI), Pertamina Hospital, and Bhayangkara Hospital.

Ma'ruf Darmawan, one of the family representatives, expressed his appreciation for the initiation of the Ministry of Health as a joint effort to commemorate the services of those who died in humanitarian duties.

"Haru is mixed with joy, we are from the family for this activity, especially if it will be held every year, thank you for paying great attention to my mother, even though she is only a nurse," he said.