President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has urged richer countries across the world to share their vaccine supply with poorer nations, following a rise in cases
President Joko Widodo stated that it “shouldn’t be just a few countries that get all the vaccines, and some other countries get only a little”.
Widodo spoke ahead of his visit with leaders at both the G20 and COP26 meetings, in which he will be attending over the next few days.
Indonesia has been one of the hardest hit nations by the coronavirus pandemic, with the country recording over 4,242,532 cases so far, according to the World Health Organisation.
“In this time of crisis, advanced countries need to do more in helping poor countries get vaccines, so that we can overcome this pandemic together.”
– Joko WidodO
Indonesia is currently recording over 50,000 new infections per day, but reports state the ‘real number’s could be even higher.
Only 4 percent of beds in Covid-19 hospitals across Indonesia were occupied by patients last week. pic.twitter.com/8PCE4Q5v78
— The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) October 24, 2021
So far, the country has recorded over 150,000 deaths to the virus, according to government data
The President revealed people have died in their homes, gasping for breath as oxygen supplies ran out across the archipelago.
The sick have been turned away from overflowing hospitals and funeral grounds ran out of space for the dead.
Mr Widodo’s administration initially downplayed the disease. The President’s former health minister Terawan Agus Putranto famously stated that the country would be spared from the virus, because of “all the prayers.”
