PALANGKA RAYA – PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION BUREAU. Central Kalimantan Secretary Fahrizal Fitri welcomed the arrival of Commission IX team of the Indonesian House of Representatives and the Expert Staff of the Minister of Health as the counterpart in the lobby of the Governor’s Office, Thursday (02/13/2020). This team aimed to conduct Specific Work Visit with the Provincial Government and Palangka Raya POM Center.

The purpose of this visit was to supervise the functions of enforcement, intelligence and investigation in terms of drug and food control which focused on the use and supervision of native Indonesian medicines in Central Kalimantan Province.

In his remarks read by the Secretary of Central Kalimantan, Governor Sugianto Sabran said, “We are very happy and proud because the forests in Central Kalimantan consist a  high biodiversity, including forest plants which have medicinal benefits and are used as raw materials in this current drug industry.”

According to Governor, in August 2019, preliminary research of Bajakah Tunggal plant showed that the plant could be used as a medicine for fighting cancer. “Based on the preliminary research conducted by students of SMAN 2 Palangka Raya, further research needs to be done,” Governor emphasized.

Furthermore, the Chairperson of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives from North Sulawesi Nasdem Faction, Felly Estelita Runtuwene said that she welcomed the establishment of a processing center and a study center for tropical traditional medicines. “We welcome the establishment of a traditional medicine processing center and a tropical traditional medicine study center which need support from central government, including the Ministry of Health and BPOM, so it could become a motor for the development and utilization of native Indonesian medicines,” he said. (din/boy/ran/translated by feb)