Indonesia to Discuss with WHO about Declare Endemic Status
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VIVA – The Indonesian Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, stated that he plans to meet the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in May this year. This meeting will discuss about change status of COVID-19 in Indonesia from the pandemic to the endemic.
"I want to meet personally with the head of the WHO in May to discuss if we do it (change the status) is it right or proper or (to discuss) what is the right way, how is the right timing," the Minister said during a visit to the Cempaka 3 Integrated Health Post (posyandu) in Cempaka Putih here on Wednesday.
Minister Sadikin also told that WHO already let the world’s countries declare endemic status. However, the country must coordinate with other countries.
Menteri kesehatan RI Budi Gunadi Sadikin di Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta
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Therefore, Minister Sadikin will synergize with WHO to declare endemic status like Japan and the United States. Both countries will change the pandemic status to endemic in their respective countries.
"WHO (said) it was returned to each government. However, the WHO gave a note, on if it could be harmonized with other countries. So, there are already two countries that plan to change from pandemic status to endemic, namely Japan and the United States. The estimate is around May or June," the minister explained.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, had said that the imposition of the endemic status in Indonesia still awaits the decision of the WHO and President Joko Widodo.
"Not only the Indonesian nation, but other nations are also trying to revoke the pandemic status when the parameters have been very under control," he confirmed on Tuesday.
The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of February 21, 2023, the nation has recorded 6,734,606 COVID-19 cases, 6,570,110 recoveries, and 160,892 deaths.
