MESSAGES FROM OUR NSC MEMBERS: PAVING THE WAY FOR INA-RESPOND’S FUTURE
By: INA-RESPOND NSC Members and Secretariat
New Year, New Hope! To move forward with strength, we must first reflect on the journey that has brought us here. Over the past 14 years, INA-RESPOND has grown into a center of excellence in infectious disease research in Indonesia. This achievement would not have been possible with-out the extraordinary dedication and contributions of our Network Steering Committee (NSC) members. During the pivotal time of INA-RESPOND’s establishment, these individuals were like rare diamonds—respected academics and clinical researchers selected for their exceptional research performance. Established in 2010, the NSC comprises representatives from participating hospitals, institutions, and the US-NIAID. This committee has played a vital role in the day-to-day governance of the network, including planning activities, developing research protocols, approving projects, monitoring progress, and fostering new partnerships. We are deeply grateful for their warmth and open-mindedness in welcoming INA-RESPOND as a new infant in Indonesia’s research landscape. In this New Year edition, we share insights from our conversations with NSC members about their hopes and vision for the future of INA-RESPOND.
Opening the conversation, they reflect on how clinical research culture in Indonesia has historically lagged behind, with only a handful of hospitals—primarily teaching hospitals—actively engaging in research, particularly operational studies, to improve clinical services. Similarly, only a small number of universities in Indonesia are classified as research universities, despite the man-date for all universities to uphold the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi—Education, Research, and Community Service. Consequently, access to evidence-based medical services in Indonesia has remained limited. With the tremendous enthusiasm of the late Minister of Health, dr. Endang Sedyaningsih, the US-NIAID team led by Dr. Cliff Lane and Dr. Sophia Siddiqui, and the dedication of the former National Institute of Health Re-search and Development, led by dr. Trihono with support from dr. Siswanto and dr. M. Karyana, they built the network of research sites from scratch.
Establishing these sites was no easy task. Finding individuals who are genuinely interested in re-search, inspiring them to join, work at the sites, and commit to responsible networking has been the result of their relentless efforts. Beginning with meticulous efforts on observational studies of febrile patients, research capacity across medical faculties and hospitals was gradually enhanced. Many clinical doctors, particularly those managing infectious diseases, were involved from the early stages of proposal development, re-search ethics training, and conducting proper clinical research, to publishing in international journals and managing repositories for clinical specimens.
This remarkable spirit, combined with substantial funding, has facilitated the establishment of research sites equipped with the necessary infra-structure and dedicated teams to conduct im-pactful clinical research on infectious diseases. They are confident that INA-RESPOND has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of various critical areas, including the causes of fe-ver, sepsis, tuberculosis, cysticercosis, pediatric pneumonia, and HIV. Today, they are proud to say they have a team of skilled researchers who are well-equipped and prepared to conduct rapid-response studies at 19 sites across Indonesia. This network proved its immense value during the COVID-19 pandemic by swiftly supporting government efforts through research essential for effective pandemic management. Over the past decade, INA-RESPOND’s initiatives have significantly advanced progress in epidemiology, diagnostics, immunology, molecular biology, and clinical management.
As the saying goes, “Tall trees catch the most wind.” Similarly, INA-RESPOND has faced considerable challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, research activities were undeniably disrupted by the demands of managing COVID-19 in hospitals and the restrictions on the mobility of re-searchers and study participants. Additionally, the dissolution of the NIHRD and its replacement with the Health Development Policy Agency re-quired INA-RESPOND to adapt, leading to a temporary halt in research activities. Over time, they have also witnessed the departure of some re-searchers, whether due to passing away, relocating, or retiring. They emphasized the importance of nurturing young researchers at the sites who are genuinely passionate about pursuing a re-search career, rather than viewing the role of re-search assistant merely as a steppingstone to specialization. However, they acknowledged the challenge of retaining research assistants, as INA-RESPOND currently lacks a defined career path for these roles.
As we step into 2025, INA-RESPOND is ready to embrace new challenges and seize fresh opportunities. The NSC members have outlined several key priorities for the future:
- Strengthening Local Research Capacity [Continued investment in training for local re-searchers and clinicians is essential. By enhancing skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, and cutting-edge laboratory techniques such as sequencing, INA-RESPOND can empower researchers to tackle Indonesia’s most pressing health challenges.]
- Ensuring Sustainable Funding [To maintain momentum, the network must secure sustainable funding from diverse sources, including international donors, private-sector partnerships, and national budgets.]
- Advancing Diagnostic Technology [Collaboration with international institutions to develop affordable and accurate diagnostic tools will be critical in detecting pathogens, including antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, early.]
- Pandemic Preparedness [Collaborate with Clinical Research Units (CRUs) to respond to infectious disease out-breaks quickly and efficiently. Support the development of new vaccines and therapies to address potential pandemics.]
- Expanding Research Scope [While infectious diseases remain a priority, there is growing interest in broadening re-search to include non-communicable diseases, such as degenerative conditions and dis-eases caused by environmental pollution.]
- Operational Research and Advocacy [INA-RESPOND aims to support government programs through operational research that provides evidence-based recommendations tailored to Indonesia’s unique health challenges.]
The NSC members envision INA-RESPOND as a driving force not only for research but also for advocacy and policy development. With its focus on innovation, collaboration, and strengthening local capacity, INA-RESPOND serves as a model of how a national initiative can achieve a global impact in combating infectious diseases.
As INA-RESPOND transitions to a new phase, they hope we can draw inspiration from the unwavering spirit and extraordinary efforts of everyone involved, laying a strong foundation for its future. The network’s journey demonstrates that establishing research sites capable of functioning as effectively as they do today requires time, dedication, and perseverance. Their message to us is clear: moving forward, we must prioritize cohesive, healthy, and supportive site teams, along with a strong secretariat and laboratory infrastructure. Continued collaboration with US-NIAID and the Ministry of Health will be essential. This synergy will empower us to conduct high-quality research that addresses the infectious disease challenges faced by both Indonesia and the glob-al community. From its humble beginnings to its current stature as a shining example in clinical research, INA-RESPOND stands as a beacon of hope for Indonesia and the world.
“As we gathered their stories and insights, we found tears welling in our eyes. Today, we walk confidently along the path paved by our NSC members, building the great reputation of this infectious disease research network. Hopefully, we can continue to do our best in the future, creating new milestones with their guidance. A big thank you to our NSC members!”
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