Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's proactive measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic have successfully protected the Indonesian population and addressed the challenges posed by the crisis, according to Siti Nadia Tarmizi, Head of the Communication and Information Service Bureau at the Health Ministry.

The Indonesian government officially lifted the Covid-19 pandemic status on June 21, 2023. As of January 2024, the Health Ministry reported that it had handled 6.7 million Covid-19 cases, with a death toll of 160,000.

Tarmizi said that when Covid-19 first hit Indonesia in March 2020, the President immediately entrusted three mandates to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin to combat the virus.

"First, to resolve the Covid-19 pandemic as soon as possible; second, to initiate vaccination promptly; and third, to implement health transformation," she said on Tuesday.

Budi is likely to return to his role as Health Minister in the upcoming administration. He was summoned by President-elect Prabowo Subianto to his residence on Kartanegara IV Street in South Jakarta on Monday for a ministerial candidate interview.

In addition to these three steps, the government adopted a "gas and brakes" approach.

"We remember the gas and brakes concept, meaning that at certain times there would be restrictions that would then be eased a couple of days later. However, if cases surged again, we would tighten restrictions once more. This dynamic shaped our policies in facing the Covid-19 pandemic," she explained.

Reflecting on the pandemic, Tarmizi said the government aimed to protect citizens through an application developed by the Health Ministry called Peduli Lindungi.

"We used that application to limit people's movements. When individuals wanted to go to malls or specific places, we had no way of knowing their test results. With that application, we could verify their status," she explained.

She also highlighted that the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic during Jokowi's administration employed the pentahelix concept, with collaboration among the government, academia, the private sector, media, and communities.

"This approach was successful, alongside our efforts to provide vaccines, procure diagnostic equipment, and expand testing capabilities," she elaborated.

Tarmizi explained that Indonesia's handling of Covid-19 initially raised doubts among other countries. However, through the government's dedicated efforts, Indonesia was able to emerge from the pandemic swiftly.

"There were many challenges, such as shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), limited PCR laboratories, and the fact that we were not a vaccine-producing country. However, these doubts were addressed, and Indonesia successfully overcame the pandemic," she concluded.

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