Heaptalk, Jakarta — Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are collaborating to develop human resources in the health sector. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel and Indonesia’s Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for this cooperation.
In more detail, the cooperation includes collaboration for Saudi doctors to practice in Indonesia and Indonesian doctors to study in Saudi Arabia, improving English and Arabic language skills, preparation programs for the Prometric nursing competency exam, nursing education scholarships, fellowship programs, and the exchange of health human resources.
Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said that this cooperation will open up greater opportunities for both countries to exchange expertise in the health sector, including learning and skill development among the involved organizations.
“Through the exchange of human resources, we hope to improve the standards of education and healthcare, as well as strengthen human resource capacity in Indonesia,” stated Budi on Monday (02/24) at the Ministry of Health Building, South Jakarta.
This cooperation includes assistance from King Salman Relief in heart operations in Indonesia. According to Budi, the assistance of doctors from King Salman Relief is crucial, considering Indonesia faces significant issues related to congenital heart defects in children.
He said, “Every year, there are around 12,000 cases of congenital heart defects in children, with 6,000 of them untreated and resulting in death. I hope more doctors from King Salman Relief can help improve heart operations in Indonesia”.
Furthermore, this cooperation also includes developing a digital vaccination certificate system for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. “We hope for the exchange of a digital system for meningitis and polio vaccination certificates, as the large number of hajj and umrah pilgrims will make this process more efficient if digitalized,” Budi said.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, stated that his country is undergoing a major transformation in the health sector as part of Vision 2030. One strategic step taken is converting government hospitals into state-owned enterprises to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health services.
“In Saudi Arabia, we are undergoing significant changes in the health sector, and we hope to share knowledge and experience in hospital management and healthcare services with Indonesia,” concluded Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel.
