Indonesia urges UN to bolster support for health, education drives

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has asked the United Nations to strengthen support for its national priority programs by improving service systems and capacity, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Sugiono said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a UN Day event in Jakarta, Sugiono said the free health screening program had reached more than 100 million people and the free nutritious meals (MBG) program 57 million.

The government is also developing 441 regional hospitals and renovating 10,000 community health centers. "And the UN can help strengthen the system and expertise behind these services," Sugiono said.

Indonesia is also renovating 300,000 schools, including religious schools, developing 500 Sekolah Rakyat schools for disadvantaged communities, and building 1,500 Integrated National schools, he said.

Other priorities include improving teachers' welfare, expanding digital learning and strengthening educational cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

With UN support, 2.1 million people gained better access to skills development and lifelong learning in 2021, Sugiono said.

He also stressed the need for communities more resilient to pandemics and disasters.

Under the "One Health" approach, the government integrates human, animal and environmental health to detect and prevent threats early, he said.

"The United Nations is a partner in building healthier, stronger and more resilient communities," Sugiono added.

Cooperation with the UN is increasingly important as the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nears.
"Time is running short, and progress remains unceasing and even. We must accelerate our actions," he said.

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Reporter: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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