RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Culture has launched a national initiative to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the country's traditional medicine system, aiming to transform centuries-old indigenous knowledge into a science-based healthcare asset with global competitiveness. The initiative, known as the Traditional Medicine System Roadmap (TAWARUPA), is expected to strengthen the role of cultural heritage in supporting national health resilience and sustainable development.

The roadmap was introduced during the National Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Development of the TAWARUPA Roadmap, held at the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta, Wednesday, 22 July 2026. Opening the forum, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that traditional medicine is a living cultural heritage that has evolved over generations through local languages, manuscripts, community practices, and oral traditions.

"These facts show that the Indonesian archipelago was not merely a recipient of knowledge from elsewhere. Since early history, its people have developed their own knowledge to survive, care for one another, and adapt to the complexities of the tropical environment," Fadli said.

He noted that Indonesia's efforts are aligned with the World Health Organization's (WHO) global strategy on traditional medicine, which encourages countries to strengthen scientific evidence, ensure safety and quality standards, and safeguard cultural heritage, biodiversity, and the rights of knowledge holders. According to Fadli, Indonesia's rich cultural traditions and natural resources provide a strong foundation for building a more self-reliant healthcare system.

The minister also called for greater development of phytopharmaceuticals plant-based medicines that have undergone preclinical and clinical testing—as a bridge between traditional wisdom and modern biotechnology. "Indonesia has enormous potential to develop phytopharmaceuticals as one of its competitive advantages in the health sector, while also reducing dependence on imported medicines," he said.

Director General for Cultural Protection and Tradition Restu Gunawan explained that the FGD is part of a joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) to formulate TAWARUPA as a national framework. The roadmap is designed to integrate Indonesia's diverse traditional healing practices into a modern, inclusive, and research-based system while strengthening cross-sector collaboration in support of the country's Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

Indonesia's vast biodiversity has enabled the development of a wide range of traditional healing practices, including herbal remedies, medicinal plants, body therapies, and traditional dietary knowledge that have been passed down through generations. International recognition of Jamu as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023 further highlights the global significance of Indonesia's traditional medical knowledge and its potential to generate social, scientific, economic, and diplomatic value.

Concluding the discussion, Fadli expressed optimism that the TAWARUPA roadmap would strengthen collaboration between culture and science in advancing Indonesia's traditional medicine system. He said the initiative is expected to transform inherited knowledge into well-documented practices, safe and competitive health products, new sources of community welfare, and a strategic pillar of Indonesia's health sovereignty.