VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta - The Jakarta Provincial Government and Health Ministry continue to make detection and prevention efforts to halt the spread of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Indonesia, especially Jakarta.

"The two parties continue to make utmost efforts to prevent an outbreak of Monkeypox," Head of the Jakarta Health Office's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Immunization Unit Ngabila Salama said on Sunday.

To this end, first, the two parties conduct early detection efforts for treatment.The government had also issued a circular letter number HK.02.02/C/4408/2023 concerning Increasing Awareness of Mpox in Indonesia, she said.

According to Salama, the discovery of active cases is not only related to those having close contacts but also symptoms who come to health facilities to be immediately tested by PCR if they meet the criteria for suspect.

If the result is positive, a further whole genome sequencing (WGS) examination will be carried out based on instructions from the Ministry of Health, she continued.

Out of 100 positive cases, one infected person could die. It is mostly caused by secondary infections and low immunity conditions in vulnerable groups such as gays, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and the elderly, Salama remarked.

The preventive efforts are then followed by such measures as vaccination for 500 people from vulnerable groups next week.

According to her, each person will be given two doses with four-week gap since the stock of Mpox vaccine in Indonesia is only recorded at 1,000 doses for 500 people.

Second, the authorities also intensify massive outreach and education to prevent the disease with a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS); urge people to wear mask; wash hands with running water and soap; avoid skin contact and wounds; have safe, healthy, and clean sexual relationship; and avoid sexual intercourse for sick people or people with Mpox symptoms, Salama added.

In addition, every close contact with Mpox patient will be monitored by the community health center (puskesmas) along with laboratory examination for symptoms in close contact.

As an anticipation to suppress the Monkeypox transmission, Salama informed that every positive case will be isolated at the hospital, even for mild symptoms.

The Mpox cases in Indonesia began with one case in August 2022. Another case was detected on October 13, 2023, with the patient still undergoing isolation in hospital.

One case was also found on October 19 with the patient undergoing isolation in the hospital and four cases occurred on October 21 with patients in the referral process for isolation at the hospital.

Four other people remain categorised as suspects with Monkeypox symptoms. They are still being examined at the PCR laboratory. Meanwhile, three people who were in the suspect category had their status declared negative, Salama added. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday that the government is supporting Vanuatu's post- disaster recovery by sending 20 tons of building materials for the rehabilitation of the Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila.

The delivery of the assistance is aimed at assisting Vanuatu's recovery efforts in areas severely affected by cyclones Judy and Kevin in early March.

According to the ministry, the assistance had been transported on early Sunday via the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, and was expected to arrive in Port Vila on the same day.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing are the institutions that are responsible for the delivery of the assistance.

Officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, and state-owned construction company PT Pembangunan Perumahan (PT PP) witnessed the departure.

The Foreign Ministry said the aid package for the airport's rehabilitation project revealed Indonesian people's solidarity with the people of Vanuatu.

The rehabilitation project was started on August 22.It was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pahala Nugraha Mansury and Foreign Minister of Vanuatu Matai Seremaiah Nawalu.

Apart from repairing the damaged infrastructure at the Bauerfield International Airport, it is also intended to strengthen relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said.

The involvement of Indonesian contractors and workers in the project reflected a close collaboration between the two countries in the development efforts, according to the ministry on its official website on Sunday.

The rehabilitation project is predicted to be completed in late October or early November.

After its completion, it would officially be handed over by the Indonesian Government to the Government of Vanuatu, the Foreign Ministry said. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - China is willing to offer assistance to Sri Lanka without political conditions and buy more of its exports, President Xi Jinping told his Sri Lankan counterpart on Friday in Beijing, state media said.

The assurances came a week after the crisis-hit island nation said it had reached agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China on $4.2 billion of debt, a fraction of the roughly $7 billion it owes Chinese lenders, both bilateral and commercial.

"The two sides should make every effort to promote Colombo port city and Hambantota," Xi told Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a summary of their meeting showed, referring to major projects China has backed in its 'Belt and Road' effort.

Wickremesinghe was in the Chinese capital for the Belt and Road Forum that ended on Wednesday as well as talks on restructuring debt.

"China is willing to continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka without attaching political conditions, to help it cope with the difficulties it faces," Xi added.

Last May Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign debt as dollar reserves fell to a point where it was unable to pay for essential imports such as fuel and medicine.

"China is willing to expand the import of Sri Lanka's ... products and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest," Xi said. (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol left for Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday to discuss business cooperation as well as to discuss security conditions amid the crisis in the Middle East, his office said.

Yoon, in what would be the first state visit by a South Korean leader, will hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday, and will travel to Qatar on Oct. 24-25 for a summit and to attend a business forum.

The state visit takes place roughly a year after the Saudi crown prince visited South Korea and discussed cooperation in the areas of energy, defence and infrastructure construction, signing investment pacts worth $30 billion with Korean firms.

Business leaders accompanying President Yoon include Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair E.S. Chung and the heads of Hanwha, GS, and HD Hyundai conglomerates, according to Yoon's office. (Reuters)