VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin delivering a statement on the side effects of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (May 3, 2024). (ANTARA/Mentari Dwi Gayati) 

VOInews, Jakarta: The Indonesian government has replaced imported COVID-19 vaccines with domestically produced ones that have lower chances of side effects, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

"Now, the government is only distributing domestically produced vaccines that are relatively safer," he said at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday, in response to reports on the AstraZeneca vaccine causing thrombosis, or blood clots.

Sadikin affirmed that COVID-19 vaccines are still needed in Indonesia, particularly to protect people with comorbidities and those planning to travel overseas. Even though Indonesia has transitioned from the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic status, he noted that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still a global health concern.

He said that the government has been advising those scheduled to join the Hajj pilgrimage this year to take another dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We would like to remind prospective Hajj pilgrims of the fact that COVID-19 still exists. However, it is up to them to use the vaccines or not, as we have transitioned from pandemic to endemic," he added.

The minister then appealed to people with comorbidities to protect themselves from the virus by getting another dose of the vaccine.

"You can do vaccination again. Do not forget to use domestic vaccines," he told people with comorbidities.

Earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Health has been replacing foreign COVID-19 vaccines with national vaccines, including the IndoVac vaccine produced by state-owned Bio Farma in Bandung, since 2022.

Additionally, Indonesia is producing the InaVac vaccine, which is being manufactured by the University of Airlangga and PT BiotisPharmaceutical Indonesia in Bogor district, West Java.Another national vaccine circulating in Indonesia is AWcorna, which is being produced by PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia in collaboration with China's Abogen-Yuxi Walvax in East Jakarta. ANTARA/VOI

KBRN, Brasilia: The development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) can learn from Brazil's experience of moving the capital from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia. Brazil has a long experience of moving the capital from Salvador to Rio de Jenairo until the transfer of the capital city of Brasilia in 1960. The city of Brasilia is the third capital of Brazil whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil, Edi Yusup in an interview with the Ranah Diplomasi Program which aired on 30 April 2024 on the Voice of Indonesia radio channel entitled IKN-Brazilia Collaboration in the Context of Friendship between Indonesia and Brazil.

According to Ambassador Edi Yusup, Brasilia is Brazil's third capital city whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. Citing the Consilience Journal, Brazil's Capital Relocation Act was approved by congress in 1891. The plan to move the capital from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia was only realised 69 years later. "This is actually the second capital move, the first capital was in Salvador. From Salvador moved to Rio and then to Brasilia. And the process or plan to move the capital has actually been quite long, from the 1800s actually. It was only realised in 1960," explained the Ambassador who previously served as Director of East Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The construction of the capital city of Brasilia, which is located in the middle of Brazil, as Ambassador Edi Yusup explained, aims to equalise development more ideally. "Indeed, the first goal of moving the capital city is to develop equitable development and also build a modern city. In addition, the city of Brasilia is located in the middle so that the distribution of development is expected to be better than if the capital was in Rio de Janeiro," Ambassador Edi Yusup continued. (Daniel)

VOInews, Jakarta: The development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) can learn from Brazil's experience of capital transfer from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia. Brazil has a long experience of moving the capital from Salvador to Rio de Jenairo until it was relocated to current capital of Brasilia in 1960. The city of Brasilia is the third capital of Brazil whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil, Edi Yusup in an interview with the Ranah Diplomasi Program which aired on 30 April 2024 on the Voice of Indonesia radio channel entitled IKN-Brazilia Collaboration in the Context of Friendship between Indonesia and Brazil.

According to Ambassador Edi Yusup, Brasilia is Brazil's third capital city whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. Citing the Consilience Journal, Brazil's Capital Relocation Act was approved by the Congress in 1891. The plan to move the capital from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia was only realised 69 years later. "This is actually the second capital move, the first capital was in Salvador. From Salvador moved to Rio and then to Brasilia. And the process or plan to move the capital has actually been quite long, from the 1800s actually. It was only realised in 1960," explained the Ambassador who previously served as Director of East Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The construction of the capital city of Brasilia, which is located in the middle of Brazil, as Ambassador Edi Yusup explained, aims to equalise development more ideally. "Indeed, the first goal of moving the capital city is to develop equitable development and also build a modern city. In addition, the city of Brasilia is located in the middle so that the distribution of development is expected to be better than if the capital was in Rio de Janeiro," Ambassador Edi Yusup continued. (Daniel)

VOINews, Jakarta : The King Salman Centre for Social and Humanitarian Aid (KS Relief) in collaboration with the Jakarta Islamic Hospital (RSIJ) Cempaka Putih conducted Volunteer Training for Advanced First Aid which took place from March 27, 2024, to May 3, 2024, at the KH Ahmad Dahlan Auditorium RSIJ Cempaka Putih.

H.E. Faisal el Amudi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, said that the Volunteer Training programme demonstrates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's significant role in providing humanitarian social assistance. "This programme reflects the important role of Saudi Arabia in the world in providing humanitarian assistance and social assistance. This is a humanitarian volunteer activity and also a collaboration built by KS Relief with hospitals in Jakarta," uttered Ambassador Faisal el Amudi said on Thursday (2/5/2024).

Dr Amer Al Anzi who acted as a training facilitator explained that the volunteer training taught participants emergency handling techniques, first aid for heart attacks, to various other medical treatments. "In the KS Relief training, there is training for heart rate, emergency room, patient handling methods and dealing with all matters related to mental and medical health," said Dr Amer Al Anzi.

The Volunteer Training for Advanced First Aid at RSIJ is the fourth training conducted by KS Relief in Indonesia. This year's training participants reached 490 people. "We have conducted this event four times in Indonesia, and we want to conduct other events in the future. We have reached 490 trainees for this event," continued Dr Amer Al Anzi.

The Volunteer Training aims to develop the technical medical skills of the Indonesian people. "This is to develop or advance the skills to the medical team at RS Islam Jakarta and exchange knowledge between KS Relief and the people of Indonesia represented by RS Islam Jakarta," concluded Dr Amer Al Anzi.