Dialogue Between President of the Republic of Indonesia and Representatives of Regencies/Cities during Inspection of COVID-19 vaccination at Dr. H. Moch. Ansari Saleh Regional General Hospital, 21 October 2021, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan Province
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good afternoon,
May prosperity be upon us all.
Today, I am in South Kalimantan Province to inspect vaccination progress in cities and regencies across the province. We hope that the [vaccination] can immediately provide maximum protection to the public so they can resume their activities.
It is important for us to accelerate vaccination in order to control the transmission of COVID-19 and to maintain the downward trend in COVID-19 cases across the country. We also hope to immediately revive the real economy in regions and maintain our national economic growth.
By the end of this year, we hope that 70 percent of the population have been vaccinated. I was also briefed by Governor of South Kalimantan that the vaccination progress in regencies and cities in the province has only reached 33 percent. We need to work hard.
I order all regencies and cities, including military district commands (Kodim), precinct police (Polres), and regional leaders, to join hands and to immediately use the vaccine supply in regencies and cities.
I have talked to Head of the Provincial Health Office to immediately tell the centers once the vaccine stock runs out and report it to Minister of Health or me. We will send it according to the needs needed by South Kalimantan Province.
I see great enthusiasm from the public. To that end, high-speed service for vaccination must be carried out immediately. I expect that from Tanah Laut regency.
Representatives of Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Mr. President, we are from Tanah Laut regency. We are so glad to be greeted by Mr. President, carrying out mass vaccination from morning to noon. Our target today is 1,890 people and until now as many as 2,603 people have been vaccinated.
That makes the total of vaccinated people in the regency remains low, Sir. As of yesterday it’s only around 23.08 percent. That is caused by a shortage of vaccines, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Is there enough vaccine stock?
Representatives of Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province
We don’t have enough doses, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Okay, I will send it.
Representatives of Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province
Yes, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thank you. Moving on to Tapin regency. Tapin, please.
Representatives of Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan Province
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
We thank you, Mr. President. Today, we are targeting 1,500 people and the realization, insyaallah, will be achieved at 1,500 people, Sir. That’s all, Sir. Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What is the total percentage?
Representatives of Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan Province
It has reached 25,8 percent, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Twenty-five point eight (percent). Well, be careful since our target by the end of the year is 70 percent. Thus, we only have two months left. We only have 60 days to pursue the target so we reach that 70 percent. And I call for some assistance. Regional governments should be assisted by the Kodim and Polres to complete it immediately. We will send the vaccine later. Thank you. Go ahead, Banjarbaru city.
Representatives of Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan Province
We need to report that the first dose of vaccine has reached 56,48 percent of residents in Banjarbaru city, while 35,70 percent are already double-jabbed. Today, we are vaccinating 1,500 people in collaboration with the Indonesian National Defense Force (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the attorney’s office, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), and the National Committee of Indonesian Youth (KNPI). Thank you, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, will we reach the target of 70 percent by the end of the year?
Representatives of Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan Province
Insyaallah, we will reach the target of 70 percent by November, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Okay, good. Thank you, Banjarbaru. Then the last one, Barito Kuala regency.
Representatives of Barito Kuala Regency, South Kalimantan Province
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
We’d like to report that for Barito Kuala regency, the vaccination progress has only reached 23 percent for the first dose, while the second dose has reached 13 percent. Currently, Barito Kuala regency carries out mass vaccinations with a target of 3,167 doses. That’s all, Mr. President.
Thank you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Okay, thanks, Barito Kuala. And for all regencies and cities in South Kalimantan province, I urge that regional governments be assisted by the Polres and the Kodim to immediately complete, speed up the vaccination so we can achieve the target, once again, 70 percent by the end of the year.
And that concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. Also, be careful with face-to-face learning, especially for elementary school students. Do properly check health facilities and health infrastructure in schools. Do not let our children, our students be exposed to COVID-19.
Thank you for your hard work, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
I thank you. (RIF/EP)