Indonesia and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in the health sector. The agreement includes direct training for Indonesian health workers, pharmaceutical partnerships, and vaccine production cooperation.
Strengthening Medical Expertise and Collaboration
Indonesia and India have taken a significant step in strengthening their health sector cooperation, with India committing to providing direct training programs for Indonesian medical professionals. The initiative includes a fellowship program that grants a one-year temporary practice permit for Indonesian health workers.
Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that this partnership aims to improve the expertise of Indonesian medical professionals, particularly in advanced fields such as robotic surgery, liver transplantation, and emergency management. The agreement was formalized through an MoU focused on developing healthcare worker capacity, transferring pharmaceutical technology, and advancing vaccine and diagnostic tool production.
“This collaboration is expected to improve the quality of healthcare services in both nations and expand public access to high-quality medical care,” Sadikin stated in a press release on Wednesday.
During a visit to Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, Sadikin assessed the hospital-based training model, which optimizes medical facilities such as MRI and Cath Lab. He noted that Indonesia intends to adopt a similar approach to accelerate the development of specialist and subspecialist doctors.
Expanding Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Partnerships
Beyond training initiatives, Indonesia and India have deepened their pharmaceutical cooperation. A key component of this partnership is the collaboration between Indonesia’s state-owned Bio Farma and India’s Serum Institute of India (SII), which covers the production and distribution of latent tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tools and the recombinant BCG (rBCG) vaccine.
Additionally, Indonesian pharmaceutical company Biotis Indonesia has joined forces with India’s Biological E Limited to transfer technology for producing children’s vaccines, including DPT-HepB-Hib, PCV, and JE.
“One of the important aspects of this MoU is the mutual recognition of healthcare worker qualifications between both countries. This will create opportunities for Indonesian and Indian doctors and nurses to work internationally, facilitate knowledge exchange, and expand healthcare services, particularly in Indonesia’s remote areas,” Sadikin explained.
Strategic Partnership for a Stronger Future
The MoU was signed during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to India from January 24 to 26, 2025. In a statement, Prabowo emphasized that this cooperation aligns with both nations’ broader vision to enhance public welfare.
“This strategic partnership will be a solid foundation for the two countries to continue to move forward and strengthen the friendship that has existed for 75 years,” the president stated.
Prabowo added that the agreement could lead to transformative advancements in the health sector, both at the national and international levels.
Source: ANTARA
