Indonesia, WHO Renew Collaboration for Health Programs

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Grant Agreement and Joint Work Plan for the WHO Biennium 2024-2025. The agreement aims to bolster the implementation of various health programs in Indonesia, continuing the collaboration initiated for the 2023-2024 period.

The Secretary-General of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, and WHO Indonesia’s representative, Dr. N. Paranietharan, signed the agreement in Jakarta on Wednesday. Dasa emphasized that the agreement strengthens the partnership between the two entities and aligns with the implementation of the WHO General Programme of Work and Indonesia’s National Medium-Term Development Plan 2020-2024.

The agreement is designed to support Indonesia’s strategic health initiatives, focusing on the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s pillars of health transformation with accountability. The collaboration will follow the Indonesia-WHO Joint Work Plan for the WHO Programme Budget 2024-2025, including the implementation of research activities to address health system challenges.

Dasa highlighted the importance of close coordination between the Health Ministry’s Health Development Policy Agency (BKPK) and WHO for the successful execution of implementation research. The agreement outlines joint efforts to achieve health transformation, with a special emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles, expanding immunization programs, advocating for health screening, and enhancing the quality and accessibility of primary health services.

Acknowledging the challenges of health transformation, Dasa emphasized the necessity of cooperation among all stakeholders, including WHO, to achieve common goals and improve the health system and services in Indonesia.