Vice Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia Mardani Ali Sera speaks in an online seminar held by Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). Photo : Eot/Man

Health is not the only issue arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also brought upon economic, social, political and security issues, all of which have become global issues, forcing many countries to undertake research and produce COVID-19 vaccine. Parliament must play a greater role in ensuring equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Vice Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP) of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Mardani Ali Sera made the statement in his press release after joining an online seminar with a theme “The Role of Parliamentarians in Addressing the Challenges of COVID-19 through Implementation of Existing International Biosecurity and Biosafety Frameworks” recently held by the New York-based Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). 

Sera went on to say that everyone has the right to a healthy life and fair and equal access to COVID-19 vaccine. According to him, therefore the parliament has the responsibility to ensure there will be no gap in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine to all people around the world. 

The politician from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) also stressed that in facing the current crisis, we need to pursue global solidarity in handling the pandemic to avoid a significant gap between countries to get the vaccine. “In times of the crisis like today, global solidarity is needed to help ensure peace and security in the world,” stated Sera. 

He added that it is also necessary to enforce standard health protocols for COVID-19 that are recognized and accepted internationally. “In times of pandemic like today, it is necessary to have standard health protocols that are internationally accepted. For example, the US and Europe have different protocols and Asia also has its own protocols. Eliminating COVID-19 will be far more difficult if the protocols are not integrated,” concluded Sera.