Sharing information about COVID-19 vaccine stocks
Since the morning, around 09.00 WITA, several parties from the health service have gathered at the Four Star by Trans Hotel. The aim is to present a report and discussion of the Strategic Plan for the Vaccine and Trace Program in the Province of Bali to support the inclusive COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
The Provincial Government of Bali, together with the Australia Indonesia Health Security Partnership (AIHSP) through Save the Children Indonesia and IDEP Foundation, is conducting the COVID-19 Vaccination Acceleration Program in three priority districts which include Karangasem, Buleleng, Jembrana, and other areas with the main target being the community vulnerable groups, including older people, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
On this occasion, several parties present were Denni Rajagukguk as the Provincial Coordinator of AIHSP-Bali, along with Vita Nandika as the Provincial Coordinator of the Vaccine & Trace Program from Save the Children, and Putu Suryawan as the Program Coordinator from IDEP.
Also present was the Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office, Dr. dr. I Nyoman Gede Anom, M. Kes, who said that the target of vaccination achievement had been quite good in the Province of Bali. It’s just that vaccination assistance for disabilities still needs to be pursued again. The Bali Province Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) representative, Head of Governance and Human Development, Ida Bagus Gde Wesnawa Punia ST, M.Si. complements that statement.
“This is what we are planning and budgeting for. Moreover, there is collaboration to target disabilities. After this, we need to coordinate more with social service friends,” he said.
This meeting is a joint dialogue to build a more effective performance of each health office in each district. The currently limited stock of vaccinations is an opportunity to strengthen collaboration on vaccine supplies for several areas that have not yet received them. Updating data on the number of vulnerable groups is necessary, as conveyed by the Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Health Service, I Wayan Widia.
Discussion to solve the program acceleration obstacle
Ni Made Ayu Saskarani, the Immunization Program Manager who is a representative of the Karangasem District Health Office, provided information that there are still several stocks of vaccines that persons with disabilities can use. The Head of the P2P Division from Buleleng, Gede Artamawan, stated that he agreed and was ready to continue vaccination more intensively in his area.
For information, Buleleng district has the most data on vaccination achievements in the Province of Bali. From the results of the event discussion, we will intensively carry out vaccination activities in three priority areas, namely Buleleng, Jembrana, and Karangasem. The focus is on groups of people with disabilities.
The ideas of each party involved are continuously conveyed alternately. The Bali Provincial Health Office will urge each region to notify vaccine stocks from each area so that the acceleration of vaccination can be completed by April 2023. The latest data is that the Inclusive COVID-19 Vaccination carried out by AIHSP, Save the Children, and IDEP in Bali reached 36,603 people. Among them are 11,871 older people, 564 people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
At the end of the event, dr. I Gusti Ayu Raka Susanti, M. Kes from the Bali Provincial Health Office, also reminded about the time that must be really used to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination program, which will be over.
“Especially (will be given) for disabilities. Existing stocks can be collected and delivered effectively. We need to prioritize them, including other vulnerable groups. And thank you for the discussion from ladies and gentlemen,” she emphasized before closing the event.
Article & Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo © IDEP Foundation
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