Erick Thohir Denies The Importance Of Economy Over Health, Here Are 10 Evidences

Minister of BUMN, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Instagram @erickthohir)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said the announcement of the PSBB implementation in DKI Jakarta caused the stock market to return to negative. This has drawn criticism, the government is considered to be only concerned with the economy rather than health.

In response to this, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and PEN Erick Thohir denied that the government's focus was only on the economic sector. According to him, the committee already has a road map for dealing with the pandemic.

"We, in the committee, never talk about the economy first. You can see that our priority for work is a healthy Indonesia, there is also ensuring how the people are safe from COVID-19 and that health service reform is the key," he said, during the 'Anniversary Scientific Oration Natalis 63 Years, Universitas Padjajaran ', Friday, 11 September.

Then, said Erick, working Indonesia is the next step after Indonesia is healthy. Where he said, empowerment, acceleration and absorption of labor were the focus.

"Only then can we expect that the name in Indonesia will grow, restore and transform the Indonesian economy. The word transformation here is important, because in this condition we should not only talk without short-term proposals, but also ensure that transformation will take place in the economic industry. the name is reform in the world of health, "he said.

Erick also detailed programs that are the focus of the government regarding a healthy Indonesia. First, a broad socialization of behavior change involving all stakeholders and the community.

Second, planning a collaborative program for the manufacture and distribution of vaccines and drugs that form antibodies and immune systems within the next 1 year.

"Because of that, of course we also carry out a vaccination program and also ensure that there is an additional escalation of tests. Alhamdulillah, the test itself is higher than the average in other provinces. We hope that several provinces will follow suit," he said.

Fourth, healing therapy. Fifth, change the red zones to yellow and green with a priority of 8 provinces.

"Therefore, 8 provinces are now the focus, because this is the contribution of nearly 70 percent of COVID-19 patients and also 8 provinces which contribute nearly 65 percent of Indonesia's economy to become a priority scale," he explained.

Sixth, said Erick, to prepare the community and local elections to be safe for COVID-19. In particular, he said, for regions that will hold the 2020 regional elections.

"Yesterday in the Justisi operation we also emphasized the situation of the pilkada and our statement, including myself, was very strong. Let's not talk about the success of the election, but failing to deal with COVID-19, because this could be a very dangerous third wave," he said.

Erick said that prospective regional leaders must care about the safety of COVID-19. Don't just prioritize being elected but sacrifice the fatality rate or death rate that has been previously stated.

Seventh, the quick win program. Then, eighth, the benefits of one data for handling COVID-19 and health.

"Because of that, at the same time as Indonesia is healthy, we are also doing how to use data. So don't keep on varying the data from the Minister of Health, data for provincial heads, which makes it difficult for us to make policies," he said.

Ninth, also maximize the role of primary health services. "Puskesmas as the spearhead we must reactivate," he said.

Tenth, the specialization of hospitals as COVID-19 services in each region will also continue to improve. Then, eleventh, quality and affordable health services, a family approach.

"Control of non-communicable diseases is integrated, accelerating the independence of domestic medical devices and medicines, etc. We are trying to do this," he said.