MEDAN – The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) North Sumatera (Sumut) provincial office, in cooperation with the local governments, has launched a Covid-19 vaccination campaign in oil palm plantation areas in 14 regencies of Sumut province.
With a target to inoculate 59,800 oil palm workers, the two-day vaccination campaign from 04 to 05 August 2021 was inaugurated by Sumut Governor Edy Rahmayadi at the opening ceremony in Sri Pamela Torgamba hospital in Labuhan Batu Selatan regency.
The 14 regencies taking part in the vaccination campaign were Langkat (4,647 participants), Simalungun (3,392 participants), Labuhanbatu Utara (8,059 participants), Labuhanbatu (5,325 participants), Labuhanbatu Selatan (13,401 participants), Serdang Bedagai (3,363 participants), Mandailing Natal (2,586 participants), Padang Lawas (1,949 participants), Padang Lawas Utara (5,168 participants), Asahan (5,112 participants), Batubara (1,955 participants), Tapanuli Tengah (808 participants), Tapanuli Selatan (1,924 participants), and Deli Serdang (2,111 participants).
Sumut governor noted that the vaccination is very important for oil palm plantation workers who have given a very big contribution to the economy of Sumut province.
“They are a priority, as the oil palm plantations have contributed a big amount of foreign exchange to the state, especially North Sumatera. This vaccination campaign will prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Sumut, especially in plantation areas,” said Edy.
Gapki Sumut Provincial Office Head Alexander Maha and Gapki Sumut Secretary General Timbas Prasad Ginting have warmly welcomed the vaccination rollout, as it will secure the continuity of palm oil production in Sumut province, which is the second biggest producer of palm oil after Riau province.
“Considering the importance of palm oil for our national economy, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic, in the near future this vaccination campaign will also target smallholders and local people around the oil palm plantation areas,” said Alexander on Saturday, 07 August 2021. (*)
Source: tribun-medan.com | Featured image via kompas.com
