The health ministries of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in healthcare, focusing on human resource development through training and exchanges, as well as the integration of digital vaccine certificates. The agreement was formalized in Jakarta in February, with both countries’ health ministers in attendance.
Following the signing ceremony, Indonesia’s Health Minister highlighted that the agreement will facilitate the exchange of human resources and expertise between the two countries. The initiative includes collaboration with Indonesian universities such as Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY), and Nahdlatul Ulama University of Surabaya (UNUSA), in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Health Holding Company. The program aims to support knowledge transfer, enabling Indonesian doctors and nurses to receive training in Saudi Arabia. In addition to human resource development, the agreement also covers exchanging digital vaccine certificates to simplify the immigration process for Indonesian pilgrims traveling for Umrah and Hajj. The Indonesian Health Minister emphasized that this initiative will significantly reduce wait times at immigration checkpoints, where vaccine certificates are currently being verified.
As part of the collaboration, the Saudi Arabian Health Minister is set to visit Biofarma, Indonesia’s leading vaccine manufacturer, to evaluate the country’s vaccine production capabilities. The visit reflects a broader commitment to promoting equitable vaccine production across developing regions, including Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, Indonesia, South Asia, and South America. The Saudi Arabian Health Minister also emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 focuses on improving healthcare services through greater efficiency and innovation. He further noted that during the visit, Saudi health companies signed four agreements to strengthen the healthcare workforce in both countries through enhanced manpower and training initiatives.
The ministers conveyed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector, including implementing the Biofarma agreement, which was scheduled for February 25, 2025. Previously, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health partnered with the King Salman Center for Humanitarian and Social Assistance (KS Relief) to conduct 38 congenital heart disease surgeries, highlighting the growing collaboration between the two nations in healthcare.
(Source: The Gulf Observer)
