VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government keeps streuggling to fulfill the increasing need for Covid-19 therapeutic drugs along with the increase in Covid-19 cases occurring in Indonesia. As quoted from the setkab.go.id page, in a virtual press conference on Monday afternoon (26/7), Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that currently, there are three types of therapeutic drugs that cannot be produced domestically. They are  Remdesivir, Actemra, and Gammaraas. He added that these three types of drugs around the world are also in short supply.

According to Minister Budi Gunadi, at the end of July, 150 thousand vials of Remdesivir will arrive, then 1.2 million will arrive next month. Then for Actemra, a thousand vials are planned to arrive this month. Minister of Health Budi Gunadi added that in August, the government will import 138,000 from several countries. To obtain the drugs, the Indonesian government must find them to all corners of the world. As for Gammaraas, the Ministry of Health will import 26 thousand this July and 27 thousand in August.

The scarcity of therapeutic drugs has indeed been a complaint of the families of Covid-19 patients in Indonesia recently. This drug is hard to find in the market, if any, the price is doubled. Many people convey chain messages about the search for these therapeutic drugs. They raise funds to buy, because the therapeutic drugs are not covered by the Indonesian government. The families of Covid-19 patients will certainly try to provide the best for sick families, even though they have to spend a lot of money. Unfortunately, the scarcity of therapeutic drugs is not due to the treatment of patients, but because there are people who want to buy them to be kept as reserves.

This therapeutic drug procurement system has to be managed well. Moreover, these drugs can only be given in hospitals, as stated by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi. He explained that Gammaraas, Actemra and Remdesivir have to be injected and could only be done in hospitals. Perhaps, the distribution of this Covid-19 therapeutic drug does not need to be spread to many parties. It’s enough in the hospitals. Thus, there is no opportunity for people who want to buy as reserves.

The hope is that there are no Indonesian people anymore who have to take the therapeutic drugs. This means that no Indonesian people are exposed to the Covid-19 virus in all its variants. Of course, this is not a grandiose hope, if all Indonesian people protect themselves and loved ones by wearing masks, diligently washing hands, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds and reducing mobility. It is no less important to vaccinate. Because protecting oneself from exposure to the Covid-19 virus means protecting many people.

On Thursday 22 July, Lviv City Hall, Ukraine looked different than usual. In the courtyard of the Lviv City Hall, the anthem Indonesia Raya was heard echoing, while Indonesian Ambassador to Kyiv, Prof. Yuddy Chrisnandi raised the Red-and-White flag on one of the main poles in the presence of the Lviv City Government Leaders. The raising of the flag at the Lviv City Hall was a part of a series of events attended by Ambassador Yuddy during his visit to Lviv City in opening of the Indonesian Honorary Consul Office in Lviv. On the morning of the same date, Ambassador Yuddy Chrisnandi accompanied by the staff of the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv and the Indonesian Honorary Consul in Lviv Andriy Ionov, held a special meeting with high-ranking officials of the Lviv Provincial Government, consisting of Governor Maksym Kozytskyy, Chair of the Lviv DPRD Foreign Cooperation Commission, Natalia Haletskaya, and heads of the Lviv Provincial Government Service. At the meeting with the Lviv Provincial Government, both sides discussed various areas of cooperation that could be developed.

The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon is optimistic about establishing cooperation with Lebanon despite the country is experiencing worst economic crisis. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari said on Friday (23/7) that despite the current situation and condition of Lebanon, the improvement of relations between the two countries continues. According to Ambassador Hajriyanto, Lebanon is a country that has a lot of potential. Thus, opportunities for cooperation between Indonesia and Lebanon are still wide open in many fields, such as in the political, economic, and socio-cultural fields. Ambassador Hajriyanto also explained that the most prominent relationship between the two countries is in the socio-cultural field. There has been collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut and universities, such as with Lebanese University to establish an Indonesian Corner at Lebanese University to promote Indonesia. Indonesia and Lebanon are also building cooperation between religious institutions. Both of them also establish cooperation between communities, such as provision of social assistance for Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Lebanon by NGOs from Indonesia.

Indonesian Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi is optimistic that Indonesia's export performance will be more promising following the recorded1.32 billion US dollars trade balance surplus for the June 2021 period. In his statement, Thursday, July 22, the Minister said that although the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, he is confident in the prospects for the export of Indonesian products that are rising well. He assessed that Indonesia's leading commodities will continue to contribute to export performance, following this surplus trend in the future.

Muhammad Lutfi explained, in the June 2021 period, Indonesia's total exports recorded a value of 18.55 billion US dollars, an increase of 9.52 percent compared to May 2021 or an increase of 54.46 percent compared to June 2020. Non-oil and gas exports in June 2021 were recorded at 17.31 billion US dollars.

Some of Indonesia's main non-oil and gas export commodities which grew quite high in June 2021 when compared to the previous month included steel, vehicles and their parts, ore, slag and metal ash, machinery and electrical equipment, and footwear.

Lutfi added that the government is also improving the industrial structure to support the export potential of high-tech industrial and industrial products such as iron and steel and automotive. According to Lutfi, iron and steel export growth in January-June 2021 increased to 92 percent compared to the same period the previous year. This shows that Indonesia is evolving from a producer of raw goods and semi-finished goods to a producer of industrial goods and high-tech industries.

In addition, to support jewelry exports, especially to the Middle East region, Lutfi explained, the Ministry of Trade is exploring trade cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. The cooperation is expected to encourage an increase in Indonesian jewelry exports to the United Arab Emirates.

The North Maluku Region has a lof of beautiful views. One of them is the island of Dodola, which is located in the west of the island of Morotai, North Maluku. This tourism spot is an incredibly beautiful area. Dodola Island is an uninhabited island. However, anyone who visits it will be amazed to see.

Dodola Island consists of Big and Small Dodola Islands. Both islands are only connected when the sea is low tide and there is a sand bridge. So, it looks like a hidden bridge. The beauty of the two islands is not much different. The beach sand is very white and fine. Dodola Island also has 13 diving spots with charming underwater views. That's why, this area is also called a paradise for divers. In addition to diving, you can also do snorkeling here, in the sea which is very clear like glass. Other activities that you can also do here are swimming and fishing. Beautiful coral reefs, various types of fish also add to the beauty of this place.

For visitors who travel to Dodola Island, there is no entry fee. Tourists who come to this island mostly choose to spend the night in tents that they bring themselves because the manager of Dodola Island has not provided tent rental services. For tourists who do not stay in tents, the local government has prepared cottages with affordable lodging costs. The food in Morotai is dominated by seafood dishes. Therefore, for seafood lovers, this place is heaven for them.

If you want to enjoy a very beautiful view in a place that is not too crowded with visitors, Dodola Island can be your choice. To access the island of Dodola, you will take a long journey. After arriving in Ternate, you are required to take another plane to Morotai Island or you can also use a boat with a travel time of 10-12 hours. From Morotai, you can continue your journey to Dodola Island by taking a speedboat or a boat owned by local fishermen.