Indonesian health minister resigns

Jakarta, April 26 (Xinhua-ANI): Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday that he agreed on the proposal of Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih to resign as the minister could not perform duty properly due to cancer treatment she has been undergoing, according to sources.

"I am touched, but I must respect (her request). It is right that she must concentrate on the medical treatment being done now. I agree on her resignation proposal," President Yudhoyono said after visiting the minister at the RSCM hospital here.

Minister Rahayu is undertaking chemotherapy in the hospital for lung cancer, according to Ali Gufron, deputy health minister. The minister was detected of suffering lung cancer in Oct. 2010 and now she had the fourth cancer stadium, according to him.

President Yudhoyono said that the daily activities of the health ministry would be led by the deputy minister along with other top officials.

Minister Rahayu has been treated at the hospital since April 20, according to the hospital.

The deputy minister said that the health condition of the minister had been unstable during the therapy period. (Xinhua-ANI)