Indonesia's Former Health Minister Insists on Developing Homegrown Covid-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said he did not need financial support from the government to develop the homegrown Covid-19 vaccine which is called the Nusantara vaccine. 

"I understand that the House of Representatives Commission VII has chipped in a huge amount of budget. Frankly, I do not need financial aid from the state," Terawan said in a hearing between the House of Representatives Commission VII and the Covid-19 Research and Innovation Consortium chairman on Wednesday, June 16.  

Instead, Terawan called for the government's political will to approve the controversial Nusantara vaccine as one of the authorized Covid-19 vaccines after it was previously considered not to be used for the Covid-19 vaccination program or to be commercialized in the country. 

Also read: Indonesian Military Denies Support For Controversial Nusantara Vaccine

The vaccine developed by Terawan was previously stipulated in a joint memorandum of understanding between the Health Ministry, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and the Indonesian Army for research purposes only.

"What I need is goodwill, political will," he added.

Terawan admitted that he was thunderstruck because the development of the Nusantara vaccine seemed to be hindered. He said the vaccine is safe to use and there have been no victims affected by its development.

"Why would it be hindered? It does not cause death and suffering," he said.

Also read: Indonesia to Use Homegrown Merah Putih Vaccine in Covid-19 Jab Drive : 

Terawan also asked for the support of Commission VII to allow the Nusantara vaccine clinical trial to resume.