ASEAN-India Cooperation to Focus on Health Sector
President Jokowi attends the 18th ASEAN-India Summit virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Thursday (28/10). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has once again emphasized the importance of ASEAN-India cooperation in tackling the pandemic.
According to the President, India has a large capacity in health sector, especially in pharmaceutical sector.
“[It aims] not only to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic but to prepare ourselves for future pandemics,” President Jokowi said in his remarks during the 18th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually.
India, the President added, is also the largest vaccine manufacturer and the third-largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the world, adding that the South Asian nation could become a large capital to bolster cooperation between ASEAN and India in pharmaceutical industry.
According to the President, several actions that can be developed include diversifying locations for the production of medical needs, increasing medicine and vaccine production, cooperating in research and development for vaccines using the latest technology, building networks, and being a part of the regional distribution center of the pharmaceutical industry.
“At a global level, the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Waiver support at the WTO must be carried out. This is important to facilitate access to the latest technology for medicines and vaccines,” he said.
The Head of State also pointed out that cooperation of human resources in the health sector is deemed necessary and until July 2021 India is recorded to have a large number of universities with medical majors.
“With experienced and excellent human resources, India can support ASEAN member states in an effort to improve the capacity of their human resources in the health sector,” the President said.
The President further said the 1,000 Ph.D. program launched by India can prioritize the fields of bioscience and biotechnology, while expressing hope that opportunities for internship and research programs in healthcare companies in India are wide open for ASEAN member states. (Presidential Secretariat) (FI/EP)
