BENGKULUEKSPRESS.COM - The Indonesian Health Ministry has dispatched a total of 107 tons of medicines and medical supplies to Saudi Arabia to provide health services to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.
According to a statement issued by the ministry's public service and communication bureau in Jakarta on Saturday, the ministry is aiming to fulfill the medicine needs of all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims until the time they return to the country.
"We have made efforts to provide medicines for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. As our effort to support Hajj health services, we are providing medicines and medical supplies from the (time of) departure of the Hajj pilgrims until their return," Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices at the Ministry Rizka Andalusia informed.
She said that the 107 tons of medicines and medical supplies sent to Saudi Arabia include respiratory medicines, gastrointestinal medicines, anti-diabetic medications, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular medicines, multivitamins, electrolytes, and milk.
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In addition, 206,400 packages containing equipment for providing health support during worship will be given to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims at embarkation points, she added.
Besides packages for pilgrims, 524 packages containing medicines and health supplies will also be prepared and carried by the medical officers accompanying pilgrim groups during the pilgrimage, Andalusia informed.
To maintain the health of the pilgrims during quarantine at the Hajj hostel, medicines and medical supplies have been provided at 19 Port Health Offices (KKP) at embarkation points, she added.
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According to her, from this year, the recording and reporting of the utilization and distribution of drugs to Hajj pilgrims will be carried out electronically using an application called Sobathaji. The application is expected to help improve the management of Hajj logistics.
"We hope that the availability of medicines and medical equipment supplies that have been procured can help reduce the morbidity rate of our Hajj pilgrims so that this year's Hajj can run smoothly," she said.(**)