Officials sweep national health awards

Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Incumbent and former government officials dominated the national health awards on Wednesday, presented by Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi to citizens for their contribution to national health development.

Topping the roster of 23 award categories was Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, who was conferred with the Ksatria Bakti Husada Arutala medal, along with his wife Dewi Margawati, who chairs the Family Welfare Movement (PKK).

Other current and former government officials included Bogor mayor H.R. Iswara Natanegara, former director general of medical services Ahmad Djojosugito, former Ministry of Health secretary- general Sutarto and former inspector general Kuswartini M. Suhel.

University of Indonesia professor Sri Oemijati, who is a senior parasitology researcher, was awarded with the Ksatria Bakti Husada Aditya medal.

The provinces of West Java, East Java, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, South Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara and Papua, as well as several non-governmental organizations were awarded with Manggala Karya Bakti Husada medals, which are given to institutions that have contributed to national health.

The award ceremony marked the 39th National Health Day that fell on Nov. 12.

During the event, Sujudi launched the Healthy Indonesia Vision 2010, which will be implemented through the National Health Scheme (SKN).

"We have set out to achieve Healthy Indonesia Vision 2010, which requires all components of society, not just the Ministry of Health, to combine forces to establish a clean living environment and a healthy lifestyle," said Sujudi.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to attend the peak event of the National Health Day celebrations on Dec. 18 at the Bogor presidential palace.