Durian. Indonesia’s Health Ministry and the US’ Department of Health and Human Services “officially entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)” to strengthen bilateral cooperation in health sector on Thursday, 21 Nov. 2024.
A statement from the US Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday said the MoU is aimed to “develop and strengthen bilateral health cooperation. The new MOU reaffirms both countries’ commitment to collaboratively advance clinical research, public health goals, and health systems to address emerging and chronic health conditions, as well as infectious diseases, including tuberculosis”.
Indonesia and US in November 2023 has made a historical phase in bilateral relations by finalizing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden on 12 Nov. 2024 has met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the White House where the two leaders issuing a joint statement, welcoming the signing of the MoU. The MoU underscores the two countries’ commitment to collaborate “to realize Indonesia’s health transformation goals”.
“This MOU signifies a commitment from both nations to advance our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and provides the framework for increased research and technical collaboration, investment in human capital development, and the sharing of best practices,” said U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir in the press statement.
Building on a previous bilateral agreement and on the two countries’ long-standing partnership in combatting infectious diseases and in strengthening public health systems, this MOU will support and enhance public health priorities such as emergency preparedness and response; health resilience, including climate impacts on human health; disease surveillance, prevention, and control; health research and development; human resources development, including health workforce and leadership; health technology, including digital health and biotechnology; and other areas of cooperation. Further, the MOU will foster cooperation through joint clinical research, capacity building, technical assistance, and other forms of information exchange.
Since 2002, the United States has provided over $6.2 billion in development, economic, health, and security assistance to Indonesia, with more than $2 billion directed to advancing education and health outcomes, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of State, and other U.S. government agencies. (***)
