Coordination Meeting for Data Collection and Implementation of Vaccination Programs for Persons with Disabilities in Java-Bali

JAKARTA (July 27, 2021) – Director General of Social Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat attended the Coordination Meeting for Data Collection and Implementation of the Vaccination Program for Persons with Disabilities (PD) in Java-Bali, which was held online by the Cabinet Secretariat.

At the meeting, Harry Hikmat said that people with disabilities need special services to reduce the risk of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Their knowledge of COVID-19 is frequently impeded by their disability, preventing them from fully accessing information, utilizing services, and discerning appropriate courses of action.

Understanding health protocols also requires attention, and even assistance in implementing health protocols is still needed by people with disabilities. The implementation of emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) also makes their situation even more difficult.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has taken various strategic steps to protect people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including issuing a Circular Letter from the Director General of Social Rehabilitation regarding the protection of PD during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating guidelines for protecting psychosocial support for PD, work guidelines for social workers and companions of in preventing COVID-19, and vaccination for PD.

Harry Hikmat said that as part of the Ministry of Social Affairs' efforts to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination for PD, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini has submitted a letter addressed to the Minister of Health regarding accelerating the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination for PD so that disabled groups can get access to vaccination as soon as possible.

In cases where PD encounters issues related to the ownership of the ID Number (NIK), the Ministry of Social Affairs aims to collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs, particularly in areas served by the Population and Civil Registry Service (Dukcapil), to address and resolve such problems.

"We hope that individuals with various disabilities, such as physical, sensory, mental, or intellectual challenges, can receive vaccinations. It is crucial to take proactive measures, ensuring that vaccination teams can visit the homes or residences of those with severe disabilities who may face difficulties in accessing vaccination sites or centers," explained Harry Hikmat.

According to Harry Hikmat, the Dukcapil Service has immediately responded to the proposal for recording population data (managing NIK before data collection is carried out as target vaccination recipients) for vulnerable groups such as PD from social services and local government centers/homes.

The Ministry of Social Affairs collaborates with the Provincial/Regency/City Social Office to compile data on persons with disabilities (PDs) who require the COVID-19 vaccine (data proposals shared with the District/City Health Office).

The Ministry of Social Affairs' support for this vaccination is the provision of data collected from the Center, Social Service Agency (LKS), Persons with Disabilities, and Service Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) as targets for the COVID-19 for PD, assistance for PD during the implementation of the vaccine, picking up PD to the vaccine implementation site, and coordinating the location/venue for implementing the COVID-19 vaccine, including providing a place for vaccination at the Ministry of Social Affairs Center.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs centers are actively engaged in vaccination efforts in partnership with local Health Offices. For instance, at the Sukabumi Phala Martha Center, dedicated to individuals with mental disabilities, the vaccination process has been completed," explained Harry Hikmat. This approach proves effective as vaccinations are administered promptly. Previously, data recording was conducted in stages in collaboration with the local Civil Registry Service (Dukcapil) Office."

Some of the obstacles faced in implementing vaccination include the current condition of PD which makes it impossible to be given the vaccine, data on many people with disabilities who do not yet have an NIK, so they do not meet the administrative requirements for vaccination, doubts by PD and their families about the impacts that will occur after the vaccine.

For this reason, vaccination services for PDs must be carried out according to service standards and implement health protocols by taking into account the accessibility needs of PDs. For PDs who do not yet have an NIK, efforts must be made to immediately collect data and issue population documents by reporting to the Social Office for immediate follow-up to the local Dukcapil Office. Furthermore, it is necessary to carry out continuous and continuous cooperation and coordination in accelerating vaccination services for PD both at the central and regional levels, especially socialization and education regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and clarification of hoax news regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Coordination Meeting for Data Collection and Implementation of the Vaccination Program for Persons with Disabilities (PD) in Java-Bali was chaired by Special Staff to the President, Spokesperson for Social Affairs Angkie Yudistia and attended by representatives from related Ministries/Institutions, namely the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health.