REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - American business magnate, investor, computer programmer, inventor and philanthropist William Henry "Bill" Gates III will soon arrive in Jakarta to support the establishment of Indonesia Health Fund (IHF).

"The presence of Bill Gates in Indonesia early next month will give a good impetus to local business makers to join Indonesia Health Fund," Coordinating Minister for Peoples Welfare Agung Laksono stated on Tuesday.

Agung explained that IHF was expected to help the Government of Indonesia overcome numerous health problems, particularly those endured by the poor community in the country. Therefore the minister has encouraged all business makers in the country to participate in the Indonesia Health Fund program to overcome health problems in Indonesia.

Agung added that Bill Gates was expected to arrive in Indonesia early in April 2014. Gates is also scheduled to visit a number of community health centers and donate funds for the IHF.

Meanwhile, Chairman and CEO of Mayapada Group Dato Sri Taher stated that Bill Gates initiative to donate funds for IHF could be an example for business makers in Indonesia to follow.

"With the establishment of IHF, the business makers in Indonesia are expected to be willing to allocate some of their profits toward the needs of the people at large," Taher noted.

He pointed out that the donation from the business makers could then be used to overcome major health problems like malaria, tuberculosis (TBC), dengue fever, and others including family planning programs. According to World Health Organization (WHO), around 50 percent of Indonesian population live in malaria prone areas.

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