WNAM REPORT: President Prabowo Subianto awarded Medals of Merit and Honor to several scientists in the health sector, including the patent holder for the AstraZeneca vaccine to the developer of the Nusantara Immunotherapy method.
Carina Citra Dewi Joe was one of the recipients, who holds the patent for the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. She was awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama for her contributions to the development of biotechnology and global health, including formulating the vaccine’s mass production formula.
“Thank you, President Prabowo Subianto, for your appreciation. I think this is very important, especially in the health sector, because it is one form of national health resilience,” she remarked at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (August 25).
According to her, the global community during the pandemic needs a vaccine to overcome the disease and curb its wider impact.
Carina is also an Honorary Professor (Honoris Causa) at Airlangga University in the field of engineering and biomanufacturing, awarded on December 20, 2023.
Meanwhile, a radiologist and former Minister of Health from 2019 to 2020, Terawan Agus Putranto, received the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana award this year.
Terawan is known for his role in developing Nusantara Immunotherapy which utilizes the body’s immune system to fight diseases, including cancer and infections, using local Indonesian ingredients.
This concept has also been introduced to Timor-Leste and has attracted interest from several other countries seeking to develop similar methods.
“The Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana is a badge of honor for me, and a reminder to work harder and dedicate myself to the country,” he conveyed.
Terawan also expressed his deep gratitude to the President for conferring the honor.
“This is the second award, after the Bintang Mahaputera Nararya awarded by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2013,” he continued.
On Monday, President Prabowo conferred state honors on 141 figures at the State Palace in Jakarta.
The recipients came from various fields, from officials and professionals to academics and artists, as a recognition of their service and dedication to the nation.
