Jakarta, Nov. 18 -- A flower-laying ceremony marking this year's National Health Day served as a moment to honor the 2,087 health workers who died while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event, initiated by the Ministry of Health, was held simultaneously across the country and led by Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono at the Pondok Ranggon Public Cemetery in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In his remarks, Dante said the COVID-19 pandemic caused 160,000 deaths in Indonesia.

He noted that thousands of those who died were doctors, nurses, anesthetists, pharmacists, and other health workers who were assigned specifically to treat patients during the crisis.

"If they had not fought on the front lines, the death toll could have excee...