Health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has assured COVID-19 vaccination access for indigenous Baduy people in Lebak district, Banten province as part of the push to achieve community immunity.
“They have the same right to get vaccinated. I am trying my best to get all indigenous Baduy people, both inner and outer Baduy, vaccinated,†he said here on Thursday.
Minister Sadikin said that his ministry will also help other remote indigenous and traditional communities to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We must vaccinate them without damaging their social fabric because they have their own belief and understanding that we must respect,†he remarked.
As per the third goal of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being for all ages, showed that all groups have the same right to health and welfare, Sadikin said.
The minister affirmed that his ministry is currently striving to convince indigenous Baduy communities to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He said he believes that with good communication, the problem will be solved.
“I will try to visit them (indigenous Baduy people). Hopefully, they can be invited to cooperate and take part in vaccinations,†he said.
Head of the Cisimeut Village Community Health Centre, Dr Maytri revealed that the vaccination programme is targeting 8,475 Baduy people aged 12 years and over.
“Not all indigenous Baduy people hold an ID card. However, the Population and Civil Registration Office (Disdukcapil) assisted us. Thank god, they were willing to get vaccinated, without being forced,†the doctor remarked.
To boost immunity against COVID-19, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination programme on January 13, 2021. President Joko Widodo was the first vaccine recipient under the programme.
According to the health ministry’s data, as of October 14, 2021, as many as 104,308,702 Indonesians have received their first vaccine dose, while 60,422,073 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Category: Indonesia
