Jokowi Gives IDR 100 Million Assistance To Badminton Legend Verawaty Fajrin Who Is Being Treated At Dharmais Cancer Hospital

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) provided assistance of Rp. 100 million to Indonesian badminton legend Verawaty Wiharjo, also known as Verawaty Fajrin, who is being treated at the Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta.

"Mrs. Verawaty, I am delivering assistance from the President. The President sends greetings and prays for Mrs. Verawaty's recovery," said Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, at Dharmais Hospital, Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Monday, September 20.

President Jokowi also asked the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) and the Minister of Health (Menkes) to ensure Verawaty's care.

"Mr. President has asked the Minister of Youth and Sports to bear the costs of Ms. Verawaty's treatment and care. In addition, Mr. President has also asked the Minister of Health to provide the best service to Ms. Verawaty," said Heru.

Not long after the Head of the Presidential Secretariat visited Dharmais Hospital, Minister of Youth and Sports Zainuddin Amali also visited Verawaty.

"We came to Dharmais Hospital, specifically to convey greetings from the President to Verawaty," said Zainudin Amali during a press conference, accompanied by the President Director of Dharmais Hospital, Doctor Suko Nindito, and Fajrin (Verawaty's husband).

Verawaty's treatment at Dharmais Hospital will be covered by BPJS Health, while the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) also seeks the best treatment by changing her BPJS member status from class 2 to class 1.

"We are still monitoring Ms. Vera's condition," said Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Gatot Sulistiantoro Dewa Broto.

In addition to ensuring that Verawaty will receive the best treatment, Gatot also ensures that the Ministry of Youth and Sports continues to coordinate to assist Verawaty's treatment.

"Regarding the shortage (cost) will be our responsibility from the Ministry of Youth and Sports," said Gatot.

Meanwhile, the Head of Legal, Organizational and Public Relations Section of Dharmais Cancer Hospital Anjari Umarjianto said that his party also gave special attention and provided the best facilities for Verawaty.

"We pay special attention to patients and provide the best facilities from what this hospital has for Mrs. Verawaty," said Anjari while accompanying the Head of the Presidential Secretariat.

Verawaty Wiharjo, is an Indonesian badminton athlete who was famous in the 1980s. She has also won many titles in the women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.

A number of Verawaty's achievements include the women's singles champion at the 1980 World Championships, the 1978 Asian Games Women's Doubles gold medal, and the 1979 All England women's doubles champion with Imelda Wiguna, to the 1986 World Cup mixed doubles champion with Eddy Hartono.

Verawaty also brought the 2018 Asian Games torch and handed it directly to President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on August 17 2018, the day before the opening of the 2018 Asian Games.