BPOM and WHO sign Joint Work Plan 2026-2027 to strengthen Indonesia's health system

The collaboration between BPOM and WHO Indonesia not only provides technical support but also strengthens policy harmonisation with global standards. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and WHO Indonesia have signed a Grant Agreement and developed the Joint Work Plan (JWP) for the 2026–2027 Biennium to strengthen strategic cooperation in supporting the enhancement of the national health system. “For the 2026–2027 Biennium, the agreed grant value reaches USD 997,853 or approximately Rp17 billion. This support will be utilised for implementing 63 cross-unit activities within BPOM, including standardisation units, oversight, and laboratories,” said BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar in Jakarta on Tuesday. He explained that this cooperation is a continuation of the partnership between BPOM and WHO Indonesia that has been ongoing since 2020. Entering the fourth year of grant implementation, both parties continue to promote programme synergy aligned with national health development priorities, WHO’s mandate, and the needs for strengthening the drug and food oversight system in Indonesia. Various activities to be carried out include capacity building, policy dialogue, expert support, and technical assistance. The scope of cooperation covers strengthening the health system, improving population health, controlling infectious diseases and immunisation, as well as preparedness for health emergencies. “The collaboration between BPOM and WHO Indonesia not only provides technical support but also strengthens policy harmonisation with global standards and supports BPOM’s commitment to ensuring effective drug and food oversight, while maintaining BPOM’s capacity as a WHO-Listed Authority for vaccines,” he said. On a separate occasion, WHO Indonesia Representative Phoubandith Soulivong expressed appreciation to BPOM for the partnership that has been established so far. “The cooperation between BPOM and WHO Indonesia is one of the important collaborations for us, given that BPOM is one of WHO Indonesia’s strategic partners,” he said. His side hopes that the 2026–2027 Biennium cooperation will not only further strengthen the established collaboration but also support joint efforts in improving public health and providing broader benefits to the Indonesian people,” he stated. Through this cooperation, BPOM reaffirms its commitment to continuously strengthening an effective, adaptive, and competitive drug and food oversight system. In the future, this collaboration is expected to drive improvements in the quality of national drug and food oversight to support the protection of public health in Indonesia.