Former Health Minister, Dr. dr. Siti Fadilah Supari, Sp. JP., received the Alumni Award from Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), for her success in implementing health policy that is oriented towards the poor. The award was presented by Dean of the Faculty, Prof. dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., Ph.D., in the celebration ceremony of the Faculty's 64th Anniversary.
Siti Fadilah said that she was touched by the award presentation. She said that the policy she made during her term of office as Health Minister from 2004-2009 was her responsibility. “I did this as something that I am obliged to as Minister,†said Siti, now a member of Presidential Advisory Council. Her success was the hard work of everyone at the Health Ministry. “That was a team work, so I don't know why they chose me,†said Siti humbly.
The lady from Solo came to UGM for the anniversary celebration and to receive the award. This was the third time for her to come to UGM since 1976 when she graduated.
She explained her job now after leaving office as Minister. “I provide advice to the President whether or not he has asked for it.†Now, she can manage her own schedule and diet. “Now I'm slimmer, but not that I'm no longer a Minister. It's because I can arrange my own diet, and so on. Don't get surprised, I can reduce weight up to 20 kilos,†she explained, which was followed by laughters from members of academic community in the Faculty.
The Dean told journalists that the award was presented as she was considered successful in giving health security to the poor people. This was in line with UGM's commitment. “She made the Health Security for the Poor policy, later changed to Community Health Security, so that the poor people have access to health service, which increased by 400%,†he explained. The health security has so far helped as many as 76.45 million poor people across Indonesia.