RI medal for WHO chief Nakajima

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government has presented the Jasa Utama medal to World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Hiroshi Nakajima for his efforts to develop stronger cooperation with Indonesia.

The medal was presented to Nakajima by the charge d'affaires of the Indonesian representative to the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Saodah B.A. Syahrudin, on Friday, a statement issued by the foreign ministry here said yesterday.

The Indonesian government awarded the medal to Nakajima because he was regarded as influential in improving relations and cooperation between Indonesia and the organization. The award was based on Presidential Decree No. 075/TK/1997

During his 10 years as WHO director general, Nakajima repeatedly displayed meritorious service to health development in Indonesia, the statement said.

Nakajima has supported the Indonesian government in conducting WHO programs such as child immunization, independent vaccine production and the utilization of generic drugs.

Indonesia also considers Nakajima to have played a strong role in accelerating medical assistance from Japan to Indonesia.