Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received the representatives of The Elders at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
 

Jokowi, who was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Health Minister Nila F Moeloek, and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, welcomed former prime minister of Norway, Gro Harlem Brundtland; former Mexican president, Ernesto Zedillo; Chief Executive of The Elders, David Nussbaum; and Consultant of The Elders for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Rob Yates.   The Elders are regarded as independent and progressive leaders committed to build peace, promote human rights, and work together to solve global issues, including climate change and violent conflicts.

According to Marsudi, The Elders assessed Indonesia as having a history of success in the health services for its people, including the health insurance service.

Marsudi stated that The Elders conveyed to Jokowi that the Indonesian government`s policy was appropriate.

"Indonesia is considered as a world leader for UHC," she added.

The meeting was held in the central hall of the Merdeka Palace and lasted about an hour. After the meeting, the representatives of The Elders, accompanied by Moeloek, left the palace to visit the community health center in Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta Province.

Moeloek remarked that the visit of The Elders to the community health center was aimed at assessing whether the steps taken by Indonesia in terms of health insurance to the community were good.

The Elders was founded on July 18, 2007, by former South African president Nelson Mandela. With the help of Gra?a Machel and Desmond Tutu, Mandela gathered 10 former heads of states or governments

Source: ANTARA