Jakarta – The Ministry of Transportation and the Indonesian Navy carried out the COVID-19 vaccination at the Merak Port transportation node today. The ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Raid’ program provides around 1,500 vaccines.
The targets of the vaccination are workers at the port, the community around the Merak Ferry Port, to the crew of ships operating in the middle of the sea.
“Alhamdulillah, we together with the Indonesian Navy have carried out vaccination activities at transportation nodes. This is a good example, as directed by President Joko Widodo to intensify this vaccination program,” said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi in a written statement, Tuesday ( 27/7/2021).
Budi appreciated the Navy who had collaborated with the Ministry of Transportation in carrying out vaccination activities at transportation nodes. Budi said the level of community participation in the vaccination program in Cilegon, including in Merak, was only around 18 percent. In the future it will be increased to at least 60%.
“Transportation nodes are important because they are areas where people cross from one place to another. For this reason, vaccinations carried out at transportation nodes can be a good filter in order to intensify the vaccination program that is being carried out by the government,” he explained.
In addition to vaccinating in the ferry port area, the Indonesian Navy also carries out ship to ship vaccinations, namely pick-up vaccinations carried out on board for sailors and crew (ABK) who are on duty on the ship.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral TNI Yudo Margono, who was present on the occasion, said that this vaccination activity is a program from the Indonesian Navy which is currently being carried out in a number of areas from Sabang to Merauke. The targets are passenger ports, fishing ports, coastal communities, remote areas and also ships operating at sea.
“In the future, at Bakauheni Port, we will also carry out vaccinations, so that it is hoped that all traveling people are in good health with the vaccine, as emphasized by the President,” said KASAL Yudo.
On the same occasion, Budi and Yudo also provided assistance in the form of 100 food packages and 600 rice packages for health workers, traders around the port, transport drivers, and other sector workers.
“It is very useful for me and my family, to meet daily needs,” he said.
Also attending the event were the Commander of the Marine Corps Major General TNI (Mar) Suhartono, Director General of Land Transportation Budi Setiyadi, Mayor of Cilegon Helldy Agustian, and President Director of PT ASDP Ira Puspadewi.
(akd/ega)