Indonesian Finance Minister: No trade-off between health and economy
Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on May 24 that Indonesia would not compromise on the health of its people to reboot the country's economy.
A dentist in Surabaya, East Java, wears complete personal protective equipment before examining a patient (Photo: Antara)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian FinanceMinister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on May 24 that Indonesiawould not compromise on the health of its people to reboot thecountry's economy.
There is no trade-off between health and economy. Both are like conjoined twins which are not separated, Sri Mulyani said.
That was why the government's first stepin COVID-19 mitigation was to earmark 75 trillion Rp (5 billion USD) specifically for health care, according to the minister.
Major aid packages sourcedfrom the State budget are being used to purchase medical materials andequipment, and upgrade 132 hospitals for COVID-19 treatment.
The government has alsodecided to provide a 15 million Rp incentive to medical specialists, 10 millionRp to physicians and dentists, 7.5 million Rp to nurses, 5 million Rp to othermedical staff members, and 300 million Rp in case of death of medical workers.
A total of 405.1 trillion Rphas been disbursed to the battle against COVID-19./.
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The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
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A dentist in Surabaya, East Java, wears complete personal protective equipment before examining a patient (Photo: Antara) 
