Minister Of Health Rushes To The Corruption Eradication Commission Regarding Independent Vaccine Procurement

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin with KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: PR KPK)

JAKARTA - Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin visited the Red and White House of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). After holding a closed meeting with the head of the anti-gas commission, he said that his party asked for assistance regarding the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine doses.

This is done so that officials who have the responsibility of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine do not deviate in the future.

"We opened the dialogue early with friends at the Corruption Eradication Commission and requested for assistance because I spoke with the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission's function as well to prevent friends in the Ministry of institutions who do get this big responsibility to make mistakes", said Budi in a press conference broadcast on the KPK RI YouTube channel, Thursday, February 11.

Apart from the issue of vaccine procurement, this meeting also discussed mutual cooperation or independent vaccination program. What is meant by independent vaccination is that the public can access vaccines for a fee.

"We are also discussing the mutual cooperation or independent vaccination program", he said.

Although this program has not been finalized because the government is waiting for vaccines to be given to priority groups, however, discussions with the Corruption Eradication Commission must still be held. So, if the independent COVID-19 vaccine program could have received approval from the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN) it could be implemented immediately.

"We have discussed this. Hopefully, in the near future if we can get approval from the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery, we can then launch this program", he said.

Regarding this request for assistance, the Corruption Eradication Commission Chairman, Firli Bahuri admitted that he was ready to provide assistance to the Minister of Health regarding the procurement of mutual aid vaccines or independent vaccines in accordance with Presidential Decree Number 99 of 2020.

He also explained that the Presidential Decree (Perpres) mechanism regarding budget sources, procurement, and distribution.

"In accordance with the mandate of the Presidential Decree, the independent vaccination is carried out by The State-owned enterprises (BUMN). Of course, we will discuss where the sources for the vaccines and vaccinations themselves come from, their procurement, regulation, and distribution, so that we carry out surveillance, ensure that every rupiah is used for the benefit of the people", he concluded.