Health advocates receive honors

Health advocates receive honors

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Health has presented awards for
high dedication on health issues to 28 people from the country's
27 provinces.

The awards were presented late on Sunday in conjunction with
the 34th National Health Day marked on Nov. 12, Antara reported.

Among the recipients were Hembing Wijayakusuma, an expert on
traditional herbs and acupuncture. Jakarta governor Sutiyoso was
also honored for his administration's service in improving health
services in the capital.

An executive of the Pandu Citra Indonesia foundation which
worked with the ministry in presenting the award, MS Dhira, said
the event was aimed at increasing public awareness of health
issues.

Hembing was recognized for his 40 years in health services,
including researching plants in remote areas in Irian Jaya,
Sumatra and Kalimantan. Hembing is also a recipient of the Star
of Son-Mu award from Korea and the Star of Asia Award from
Australia.