US, Indonesia Strengthening Health Cooperaton

Jakarta - US Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Ted Osius and Indonesian Ministry of Health Secretary-General Ratna Rosita co-chaired a discussion to strengthen collaboration and mutual understanding on common public health challenges. The discussion covered a wide range of issues, including international accreditation of Indonesian hospitals; halal certification for pharmaceutical products; the upcoming visit of the USS Mercy hospital ship as part of the Pacific Partnership 2012 program, the US Embassy here said in its official website. The discussion also touched on the recent launch of the Indonesia Biorisk Association and the Global Health Initiative, a new holistic program for oversight of US health activities in Indonesia. In his remarks, DCM Osius lauded the strong foundation of cooperative health partnerships between the two countries under the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, and joined the Secretary-General in encouraging further concrete collaboration. The meeting included representatives from five Indonesian agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also included US participants from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Defense, and the State Department. DCM Osius hosted the meeting, which marked the second US-Indonesia bilateral health discussion, following an inaugural meeting hosted by the Ministry of Health in February