RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is looking to deepen its health cooperation with China, focusing on tuberculosis prevention, traditional medicine, biotechnology, and the use of artificial intelligence and digital technology in healthcare services.

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin underscored these priorities during a bilateral meeting with Chinese National Health Commission Minister Lei Haichao in Beijing on Friday, March 27, 2026.

“China and Indonesia share many health priorities, particularly in transforming service quality and promoting disease prevention. We can learn from each other while advancing mutually beneficial cooperation,” Minister Budi said in a written statement released Sunday, March 29, as quoted by Antara.

Minister Budi noted Indonesia’s interest in China’s achievements in reducing tuberculosis prevalence from moderate to low levels.

He also emphasized Indonesia’s push for digital transformation in healthcare, including clinical data management, and expressed hope to leverage China’s expertise in AI and advanced technologies such as brain-computer interface (BCI) for stroke prevention and recovery.

The minister also praised China’s support for fellowship programs that have enabled 113 Indonesian specialist doctors to train in Chinese hospitals over the past year. Both sides exchanged views on challenges in improving public health services and strengthening the healthcare workforce.

Minister Budi invited Minister Lei to attend the upcoming joint committee meeting between the two health ministries in Indonesia, aimed at making cooperation more effective in addressing new health challenges.

His visit to Beijing also included keynote participation at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum - World Digital Health Forum, where he stressed that “AI will not replace doctors, but doctors who do not use AI will be left behind.”

During the trip, Minister Budi, accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun and Deputy Ambassador Irene, also met with Chinese health technology and pharmaceutical companies. Indonesian firm Iofarma signed a follow-up agreement with Sinovac to collaborate on vaccine development and production.

Indonesia and China have already established multiple health cooperation agreements, including those signed in May 2025 during President Prabowo Subianto’s meeting with Premier Li Qiang in Jakarta. These cover traditional Chinese medicine and tuberculosis control, alongside hospital-to-hospital collaboration and healthcare worker exchanges.

With both nations aligning their priorities, the partnership is expected to play a key role in advancing healthcare innovation and strengthening disease prevention strategies in the years ahead. ***