On July 7, at 2 a.m., Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar passed away at the age of 52 after succumbing to COVID-19 complications. 

The public knows her as the head of the Sinovac vaccine trials in Indonesia. But to the people who knew her personally, she was far more than a doctor or researcher; Novilia was a cherished wife, mother and friend.

Novilia loved baking. Her baking could be seen all over her Facebook page, showing a different, more personal side of her.

Novilia is survived by her husband, Meindy Mursal, 59, and her three children, Nadhira Meindy, 26, Hanif Meindy, 21, and Muhammad Daffa Meindy, 18. 

"Did I let her go? Yes. I saw with my own eyes that my wife was tired. A month before Novilia contracted COVID-19, the blood vessels in her eyes had burst," Meindy told The Jakarta Post on Aug. 6. 

It was a tough time for the family. Novilia passed aways as Meindy and Hanif were also fighting the virus. 

“I believe in God’s plan. Everything that comes from God returns to Him. Human beings can only do their best, but in the end, it is God's will,” continued Meindy, who is currently a lecturer at Parahyangan Catholic University. 

"I trusted the medical personnel as they are the experts. The ICU always updated [my family about] my wife’s condition. I mean, we can't revive the dead, right? The important thing is, we leave everything to God.” 

Family first: Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar (enter) poses with her family on their "umroh" (minor haj) in Ramadan. (Personal collection/Courtesy of Dr. Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar's family)

Two days before Novilia passed away, she sent a sticker message that read "Cheer Up" to Meindy and Hanif, who were also in self-isolation at their home, and other family members. Meindy also sent an audio file of a Quran reading, hoping that prayer could help his wife fight her illness in the ICU. Meindy and his family members have been vaccinated twice. 

As other children and mothers celebrated Mother’s Day, Novilia’s family lost their matriarch. That day, she sent her last message to her loved ones.

Happy with what she had

Meindy and Novilia married on Jan. 8, 1995. Meindy described his wife as a good listener and a gentle soul.

"She was a good listener and had a calm demeanor. She never came across as compulsive but always thoughtful. I thought that was why she was so approachable. When something does not sit right with her, she would keep it to herself and only talk when the time is right," he recalled.

What he admired most about her was her integrity.

“When we were just married, I was offered a job in Jakarta. I thought it would be the start of a better career and income. She asked, ‘What happens after we settle in Jakarta?’ I asked her if she would be okay living with the salary of a civil servant. She replied, 'What we have is enough for me.’" 

Although she was busy with various research, Novilia always made time for her family. She would make sure that Saturdays were for her children.

“She was a homebody, so after work, she would come home to the family. She sometimes wondered if people had time to hang out. Her Saturday was always reserved for the kids."

Novilia’s death left a big hole in the family. Two weeks after her passing, Hanif had to undergo his thesis examination. He has since graduated from Parahyangan Catholic University with a bachelor's degree in social and political sciences. 

Meindy said his wife was an avid baker and loved to cook. Whenever she was busy or stressed about seminars and work, she would bake to settle her nerves. 

She also enjoyed traveling, either with her family or alone.

“Before we got married, my wife traveled with her father, Sjafrie Bachtiar.”

Although she came from a privileged background, she was known to have a down-to-Earth charm.

Together: Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar (Right) and her husband at her graduation. (Personal collection/Courtesy of Dr. Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar's family)

“My father-in-law used to work at an oil company, Caltex, but he never spoiled his child with money or cars. When we got married, Novilia was already accustomed to public transportation. Novilia used to take public transportation everywhere when I was not able to drive her around.” 

“During an assignment to Kenya, she was very enthusiastic and explored the place on her own, despite warnings and cautions not to wander around. She always preferred early flights, which would give her more time to wander as soon as she arrives,” her husband recalled.

Researcher by chance

Meindy’s and Novilia’s life was not all smooth sailing.

“I was actually not very supportive of my wife getting her specialist degree. She did try to become a lecturer at a university, but she didn’t get in. Eventually, she landed a job at Bio Farma,” Meindy told the Post.

He added that Novilia was a bit of a perfectionist and that she would sometimes work into the early hours of the morning.

“She enjoyed her job, and she did it with all her heart. Initially, being a researcher was not her dream. But at that time, she was trying to figure out what kind of job or career she wanted to pursue." 

At Bio Farma, Novilia continued to develop her knowledge by becoming a researcher. 

Novilia is also remembered as a dedicated researcher.

"Her commitment to the job was extraordinary. She always attempted to finish everything. One of Bio Farma’s consultants, Julitasari Sundoro, told me that when my wife was on the ventilator, she did not forget to send WhatsApp messages about work regarding a draft report for the BPOM [National Agency of Drug and Food Control]," Meindy said.

He also remembered that as a doctor, Novilia always considered her patients’ economic condition. She charged her patients only Rp 2,000 (14 US cents) to Rp 5,000 at her home clinic because she knew many of them were poor. Novilia stopped operated her own clinic after she started working at Bio Farma in 2002. 

Sunaryati Sudigdoadi, also known as Dr. Titi, 70, is a doctor specializing in clinical microbiology, a mentor and a clinical trial partner for Sinovac's vaccines. She has fond memories of Novilia. 

“I was surprised when I heard that Novilia had been exposed to COVID-19. She was hospitalized at the hospital where I worked, so I had a phone call with her. The experts did their best to treat her,” Titi said.

Strawberry goodness: Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar was an avid baker and loved to cook. (Personal collection/Courtesy of Dr. Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar's family)

She and Novilia worked collaboratively with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in Melbourne, Australia, on research on pneumococcus, a type of bacteria that causes infection in the respiratory system, resulting in pneumonia that can attack children.

“At least 458 of my colleagues from the Indonesian Doctors Association have died — and that doesn't include the nurses. To prevent further transmission, I want to remind the public to always adhere to the health protocols that have been set by the government. I urge people to always wear masks, wash their hands, maintain a safe distance, avoid crowds and reduce mobility. Of the health protocols given, what we should always do — it's the easiest thing to do — wear masks because this is not only for our benefit but also to save others," Titi implores. 

Meindy also appreciated the health workers who helped treat Novilia.

"I saw that at 2 a.m., they were still working deftly. So, if people have prejudices against medical personnel, I think that needs to be clarified. If they make mistakes, it's normal because they've been working for so long.”

Titi wants Indonesia to remember the legacy Novilia has left and her sacrifices. 

“She left a very good impression on her colleagues, and that is why we will miss her a lot. She was very interested and had an exceptional understanding of her field. I'm more than happy knowing that there are students who have become smarter than the teachers."