Indonesia Seeks to Strengthen Health Cooperation with China
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), is pushing to strengthen cooperation in the health sector with China, including in traditional medicine, tuberculosis (TB) prevention, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for health services.
This effort to strengthen cooperation was discussed in a bilateral meeting between the Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and the Chinese National Health Commission Minister, Lei Haichao, in Beijing, China, as reported by Xinhua.
“China and Indonesia share many similar priorities in the health sector, particularly in transforming the quality of health services and promoting disease prevention. In achieving these goals, Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China can learn from each other while advancing mutually beneficial cooperation,” Budi said in Beijing.
Budi noted that Indonesia can learn a great deal from China’s success in reducing TB prevalence from moderate to low levels. Additionally, Indonesia wishes to leverage China’s strengths in AI and health technology, including the use of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for stroke prevention and recovery, as well as other cerebral health disorders.
During this visit to Beijing, Health Minister Budi also held business meetings with several Chinese companies in the fields of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, AI, and robotics. Budi also attended the Zhongguancun Forum-World Digital Health Forum 2026, organised by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Cooperation in the health sector between the two countries continues to develop. In recent years, Indonesia has sent hundreds of specialist doctors to participate in fellowship programmes at several hospitals in China.
Indonesia and China have also strengthened health cooperation in a meeting between President Prabowo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Jakarta at the end of May last year. This cooperation covers traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and TB control.