INDONESIAN MOH DELEGATION VISIT TO THE US NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (US NIH)

By: Meity Siahaan, Dedy Hidayat

Left photo: Dr. H. Clifford Lane (left) showing the model of the NIH building to Dr. Nizar Yamanie (middle) and DG Azhar Jaya (right). Right photo: DG Azhar Jaya and Dr. H. Clifford Lane conversing at the end of the visit.

On December 4-5, 2024, a delegation from the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) visited the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) to strengthen existing collaborations and explore new opportunities in health research. This visit was an important step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in clinical research and capacity building between Indonesia and the United States.

The delegation included high-ranking officials from various departments within the Indonesian MoH. Among the key representatives were Dr. Azhar Jaya, Director General of the Health Services Directorate; Ms. Indri Roosliamiati, Acting Director of BB Binomika; Dr. Nizar Yamanie, a Senior Leader and Neurologist Consultant at RS PON MaharMardjono; Dr. Yuli Felistia, Head of the Clinical Research Unit at RS PON Mahar Mardjono; Dr. Vivi Setiawaty, Director of Research at RSPI Sulianti Saroso Hospital; Dr. Maria Lawrencia, Head of the Clinical Research Unit at RSPI Sulianti Saroso Hos-pital; and Ms. Meity Siahaan, Finance and Administration Manager for INA-RESPOND.

During their two-day visit, the delegation engaged in a series of meetings with NIH leaders and re-searchers. Among those who met with the Indone-sian officials were Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Dis-eases (NIAID); Dr. H. Clifford Lane, Deputy Director of NIAID; Dr. Avindra Nath, Clinical Director of the Division of Intramural Research; Dr. Richard T. Benson, Director of the Office of Global Health and Health Disparities (OGHHD) in the NINDS Division of Clinical Research; Dr. Sudha Srinivasan, Program Director of OGHHD; and Dr. Kathleen Maletic Neuzil, Director of the Fogarty International Center. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss mutual research priorities, current projects, and potential areas for future collaboration.

The focus of the visit was the INA-RESPOND part-nership, but discussions with NIAID, NINDS, and FIC touched on a range of topics, including vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis research, ge-nomics, ischemic stroke, malnutrition, global clinical research networks, research training exchanges, and more. It also featured a guided tour of NIH facilities. These activities provided valuable insights into NIH’s research infrastructure and operational mod-els, which could serve as a reference for enhancing Indonesia’s research capabilities. The discussions also emphasized the importance of strengthening global health research partnerships to address pressing health challenges.

One of the main agenda items during the visit was the first Executive Steering Committee (ESC) of the transitioning partnership, which was held on December 5. The meeting began with statements from DG Azhar Jaya and Dr. Lane reaffirming each side’s commitment to collaboration and the INA-RESPOND partnership. Following an acknowledgement of the recently signed MoH-HHS Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the soon-to-be-signed MoH-NIH Letter of Intent (LoI), the ESC launched into presentations and discussions on the planned transition of INA-RESPOND from BKPK to RSPI Sulianti Saroso Hospital in Jakarta. The move is expected to align INA-RESPOND’s activities with the broader goals of the Indonesian MoH. The discussion covered the establishment of a Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) to provide strategic guidance, improving financial structures to ensure sustainability, and fostering long-term funding opportunities to support ongoing and future research initiatives.

The delegation and NIH representatives also dis-cussed plans to improve laboratory and research capacity in Indonesia. This initiative aims to strengthen the country’s laboratory capabilities, particularly in infectious disease research, enhancing preparedness and response to health emergencies.

The proposed relocation of the INA-RESPOND Secretariat to RSPI Sulianti Saroso Hospital was another significant topic of discussion. Two relocation options were explored: establishing a standalone building, which would require renovation, or utilizing shared space within the hospital. Both options involve cost-sharing arrangements, and further discussions will be held to finalize the best approach.

Looking ahead, a follow-up meeting in Jakarta is scheduled for February 2025. This meeting will focus on finalizing collaboration strategies and operational plans. Preparations for this meeting will include site assessments at RSPI Sulianti Saroso Hospital to evaluate the proposed relocation sites and ensure a smooth transition.

The visit to the NIH reaffirmed the importance of INA-RESPOND’s international partnerships, particularly in the field of infectious disease research. It underscored the commitment of both the Indonesian MoH and NIH to addressing global health challenges through collaborative research efforts. The delegation’s engagements with NIH leaders and experts strengthened the foundation for future initiatives, ensuring that Indonesia continues to play a leading role in health research on a global scale.

Leave a reply