Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih Passes Away

Jakarta - Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih died of lung cancer at Cipto Mangunkusomo Public Hospital (RSCM) here Wednesday at 11:41 a.m. local time, after being hospitalized for the past three weeks. "The health minister passed away at 11:41 a.m. because of advanced stage cancer. She was in critical condition yesterday," RSCM President Director Akmal Taher told the press at the hospital's Kencana Pavilion. Taher said Endang's health had deteriorated since Tuesday (May 1) and she was being treated in the hospital Intensive Care Unit when she passed away. Deputy Health Minister Ali Ghufron Mukti said Endang's family members were present at the hospital at the time of her death, except for one of her children who is returning from Geneva. Endang had been diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2010 and remained hospitalized at RSCM for the past three weeks. The 57-year-old minister has undergone a variety of medical treatments, including radiotherapy and cryosurgery, at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM). Appointed as health minister in 2009, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih resigned on April 26, 2012 due to her health in order to undergo lung cancer treatment. President Yudhoyono has appointed Deputy Health Minister Ali Ghufron to temporarily fill the vacant post. (*)