PALANGKA RAYA – EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION BUREAU. Central Kalimantan Provincial Government in collaboration with Provincial Leadership Coordination Forum is committed to continuing to strive the acceleration of vaccination program, one of which is by intensifying mass vaccination activities simultaneously in all regencies/municipality, in order to control the spread of COVID- 19 in Central Kalimantan.

“Yesterday it was agreed, and according to the President’s instruction, through the cooperation of Central Kalimantan Provincial Government, Chief of Regional Police, Head of High Prosecutor, and Regional Armed Force, we are together to carry out this vaccination simultaneously,” said Vice Governor of Central Kalimantan, Edy Pratowo when directly observed the implementation of mass vaccination for the elderly and public servants at Tingang Menteng Panunjung Tarung Hall at Kapuas Police, Kuala Kapuas, on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

The Vice Governor of Central Kalimantan then stated that the simultaneous vaccination effort was also a follow-up to the direction of President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, who hoped that the vaccination program, especially for the elderly, could be implemented as soon as possible. “So there is a special concern from President, Mr. Jokowi, that vaccination, especially for the elderly, must be done immediately,” said Vice Governor Edy Pratowo.

Vice Governor Edy Pratowo also asked Regents/Mayor not to worry about running out of vaccine stocks, because stocks owned by the Provincial Government are secured. Moreover, President has also emphasized the readiness of vaccine support from the Central Government to the regions, but of course the vaccination must be realized immediately to the community.

“We really hope that this door to door movement will continue to be carried out. We don’t have a day off. Don’t worry, who knows during the coordination meeting, someone will ask you if you are running out of vaccines in the regency / municipality. There is no need to worry, the stock is secured in the province,” he explained.

Furthermore, the Vice Governor hopes that refocusing and budget reallocation for handling COVID-19 also need not to be worried. With assistance from the Attorney General’s Office and Regional Police, Regency/Municipality Governments do not need to hesitate in budgeting. Moreover, President Joko Widodo has repeatedly emphasized that controlling the spread of COVID-19 must be a top priority.

“I think it’s important, so don’t worry about the budget, we will absorb it as soon as possible. This is escort from the High Prosecutor’s Office, then Regional Police, assisted by the State Prosecutor’s Office and Regional Police in each region in Central Kalimantan,” said Vice Governor Edy Pratowo.

It was also explained that, it is targeted that in the next 10 days efforts to accelerate through mass vaccination will be carried out simultaneously. The Vice Governor also said that the Provincial Government together with Regional Leadership Coordination Forum will continue to monitor the implementation of mass vaccinations in various regions. “Tomorrow, our group will also conduct another roadshow to Katingan and Sampit. There is no stopping, ladies and gentlemen. So everyone, in all regions of Central Kalimantan, we will monitor all,” said Vice Governor.

At the end of his remarks, Vice Governor Edy Pratowo believed that if this vaccination program could really be carried out properly, then the spread of COVID-19 in Central Kalimantan could be controlled. “Don’t be discouraged or tired of doing it. I think our capital if this (vaccination) has been carried out properly, we are sure we can also suppress, we will also fortify the people of Central Kalimantan from being exposed to the Corona virus,” concluded Vice Governor.

In the mass vaccination review, Vice Governor of Central Kalimantan was accompanied by the Head of Regional Police Inspector General of Police Dedi Prasetyo, Head of High Prosecutor Iman Wijaya, Kasrem 102/Pjg Colonel Czi Wakhyono, Director of dr. Doris Sylvanus Palangka Raya Public Hospital, Yayu Indriaty, representative of Regional Intelligence Agency, and the ranks of Central Kalimantan Regional Police. Afterwards, Vice Governor and his entourage then is inspected the implementation of forest and land fire prevention simulations. (set/bow/translated by feb)