Surabaya, E Java (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on the people here on Friday to remain calm as appropriate steps were being taken regarding the issue of fake vaccines in the country.
"I hope people would have faith and remain calm because I have ordered the Minister of Health to resolve the issue and seek a solution to the problem," Jokowi said after campaigning about the tax amnesty law in Surabaya on Friday.
The president has ordered the Minister of Health to settle the problem, both within the ministry and with other parties such as the regional governments.
He advised that the regional governments need to be involved to settle the problem completely.
"What is important is that you should remain calm because this is not a matter of one or two years. The problem has been continuing for 13 years and should be handled. Also, sanctions have to be imposed on hospitals and individuals involved," he counseled.
The president informed that so far, 20 people have been named as suspects and the number could increase.
The Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI) has asked the government to adopt a firm stance against distributors of spurious vaccines.
"All parties, such as government employees and hospital workers involved in distributing such vaccines, must receive severe punishment," YLKI Executive Chairman Tulus Abadi stressed here last Wednesday.
If it is proved that the management of a hospital was involved in the falsification, use and distribution of fake vaccines, it should be made to face both criminal and civil cases, he added.
If civil servants are involved, they must face exemplary sanctions in the form of sacking. "Private company employees should also be taken to court to face the criminal process," Tulus Abadi noted.
Private hospitals which are found to have knowingly used spurious vaccines should have their licenses revoked or should be shut down.
"The victims of spurious vaccines can file a lawsuit against the hospital concerned," he pointed out.
The police had named 18 persons as suspects in the case about circulation of fake vaccines, Director of Economic and Special Crimes Affairs of the Criminal Department of the National Police, Brig Gen Agung Setya, said earlier.
Of the suspects, 16 have been detained while two others were underage, he said.
No state hospitals have been found to be involved in the fake vaccine case. However, 14 private hospitals in Java and Sumatra could be involved. (WDY)
