RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian and Australian governments have launched the Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Health Transformation (KITA SEHAT) Program, a long-term collaboration aimed at strengthening Indonesia’s health system.

Secretary of the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Teni Widuriyanti, said the program supports Indonesia’s national health transformation agenda by prioritizing government leadership and alignment with national development priorities.

“This partnership is designed to strengthen the national health system through cross-sector collaboration while prioritizing government leadership and alignment with national development priorities,” Teni said at the KITA SEHAT National Launch in Jakarta on Monday, July 20, 2026, as quoted by infopublik.id.

The program will be implemented in two phases, 2025–2029 and 2029–2034, under joint governance involving Bappenas, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Australian Government, local administrations, and several development partners.

Implementation will focus on East Nusa Tenggara, West Java, and Southwest Papua, selected as pilot regions to strengthen central–regional coordination and adapt the program to local health needs.

Teni noted that since the signing of the Subsidiary Arrangement in August 2025, the government has prepared a work plan, guidelines, and coordination mechanisms to ensure alignment with the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the national health transformation agenda.

Australian Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Gita Kamath, emphasized that the partnership builds on more than 30 years of bilateral cooperation in the health sector. She highlighted collaboration in strengthening primary healthcare services, immunization, disease control, maternal and child health, and building a more resilient healthcare system.

“Health is not just a sector. Fundamentally, talking about health means talking about people,” Gita said.

She added that this experience provides a strong foundation for expanding the partnership through KITA SEHAT. Australia will support Indonesia in strengthening health institutions, improving primary care, enhancing the health system, and expanding access to effective, equitable services.

The program emphasizes nutrition as a way to prevent stunting, alongside primary care. Australia will also support surveillance systems, workforce capacity, and cross-sector coordination using the One Health approach to address pandemics, climate change, and infectious diseases.

“By investing in preparedness, early protection, and rapid response, we are strengthening Indonesia’s and the Indo-Pacific region’s health security,” Gita said.

Through KITA SEHAT, Indonesia and Australia aim to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable health system while deepening their strategic partnership to improve community welfare. ***