Bengkulu, March 11, 2021

Bengkulu Provincial Health Office conducted the second phase of mass vaccination for public officials and the launch of the Bengkulu Prosperity Card in Bengkulu Province on Thursday, March 11, 2021. The vaccination was carried out at Bengkulu Poltekkes by involving health workers from local health facilities. The health workers involved were from Bengkulu Poltekkes, M. Yunus Hospital, Tiara Sella Hospital, Ummi Hospital, RSKJ Soeprapto, and the Port Health Office Clinic.

Head of the Bengkulu Provincial Health Office Herwan Antoni said COVID-19 cases in the region are quite dynamic. However, currently most districts/cities in Bengkulu Province are in the low risk zone for COVID-19 transmission.

The incidence of COVID-19 cases occurs dynamically, even until 2020 the incidence of cases is always increasing, even the peak will occur in December 2020. However, Herwan admitted, thanks to the instructions from the central COVID-19 Task Force and the direction conveyed by the minister of health, the COVID-19 pandemic in Bengkulu could be overcome gradually. “There are 9 regencies and 1 city in Bengkulu. 70% of our districts/cities are in the low risk zone or green color, 30% are at medium risk or yellow color,” he said.

Bengkulu Province Governor Rohidin Mersyah said that in terms of evaluating the mapping of zones by giving colors, it is very clear that the Bengkulu region has now entered the position of the yellow zone approaching green. 5 regencies out of 9 regencies and 1 city in Bengkulu Province are already in the green zone.

Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin had the opportunity to directly observe the implementation of mass vaccination with a target of 1,000 people to be vaccinated within a day. He appreciated the activity and hoped that other regions would also carry out this mass vaccination up to the district/city level. The Minister of Health advised all groups of people who have received the vaccine to adhere to 3M health protocols (wearing masks, maintaining distance, washing hands with soap), as well as avoiding crowds and reducing unnecessary mobility. Acting Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Arianti Anaya and Director of Pharmaceutical Services Dita Novianti Sugandi were also present to oversee this activity. 

This occasion also saw the launch of the Bengkulu Sejahtera Card (KBS), a priority program of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Bengkulu. This launch is intended for the noble purpose of providing health insurance for the population of Bengkulu Province in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage, which in turn means that there will be no more people in Bengkulu Province who do not have health insurance.