BOK TO REACH POSYANDU

Bekasi, March 20 (ANTARA) - The government Health Operational Assistance (BOK) at the hospitals will be improved to reach Puskesmas (community health centers) and Posyandu (integrated health service posts).

In a dialog with health officials in West Java town of Bekasi on Friday, Vice President Boediono said the health operational assistance would reach Puskesmas this year and Posyandu next year.

"This year, the Health Operational Assistance is expected to reach the community public health centers and by next year it will reach integrated health service posts," the vice president said.

Boediono said that for the operational funds for Posyandu, a community based vehicle to improve child survival and development, he would not promise but make every effort to make it possible in accordance with state financial condition.

"The governors and mayors will think about the operational funds problem," Boediono said, adding that Puskesmas and Posyandu officials as well as those who had concern about government program in health sector would spearhead the improvement of community health level.

He also expressed his outstanding appreciation to the health workers who have worked hard to give health services to the community.

The vice president pointed out that health and education should go together and support each other.

He said health issue was likened to a hardware system while education was likened a software system, and if the hardware capacity was insufficient, nothing would happen and if the software system was not optimally exploited, it would be useless.

Therefore the vice president asserted that both health and education issues were the primary concern of the government at present to have them improved.

On the occasion the vice president was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, Public Works Minister Joko Kirmanto, National Education Minister Muhamad Nuh, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, and West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan.