Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Search

 

Cablegate: Indonesian Health Minister Praises Cooperation

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJA #9334/01 2061030
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251030Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7782

UNCLAS JAKARTA 009334

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/IET, S/ES-O
DEPT FOR G/AIAG/JLANGE AND RFENDRICK
DEPT FOR OES/FO, OES/EID, OES/PCI, OES/STC AND OES/IHA
DEPT PASS TO USDA/FAS/DLP/HWETZEL AND DAS/ICD/PETTRIE
DEPT PASS TO USDA/FAS/FAA/DYOUNG and USDA/APHIS
DEPT PASS TO USAID/ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL
DEPT PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/ABHAT/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR KHIV ID PGOV KFLU SOCI
SUBJECT: INDONESIAN HEALTH MINISTER PRAISES COOPERATION
AND NAMRU-2

1. (SBU) Summary: Minister of Health Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari
told the Ambassador on July 24 that the Ministry of Health
(MOH) is committed to cooperation with NAMRU-2 and will
assist in the finalization of a new Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU). She noted that the Government of
Indonesia (GOI) is pleased with USG collaboration on various
health challenges such as avian influenza (AI) and polio and
thanked USAID and NAMRU-2 for their support. She also
expressed interest in receiving additional financial
assistance for a public health awareness campaign to be
carried out at the village level. The Ambassador
congratulated the Minister for success on polio eradication
as evidenced by the high vaccination rate in the population
and the long interval since the last case was detected but
noted the concern that Indonesia is still at risk for polio.
The Ambassador conveyed his appreciation for the cooperation
and transparency shown in combating avian influenza in the
human population but noted his continued concern about the
Ministry of Agriculture's lack of effectiveness in
controlling the disease in the animal population. The
Ambassador also conveyed USG willingness to help on other
MOH issues such as providing Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3)
laboratory technical assistance. He pledged to work with
the MOH as other health priorities become identified. End
Summary.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Natural Disasters, Polio and Avian Influenza
--------------------------------------------

2. (SBU) In a July 24 call on the Minister of Health, the
Ambassador expressed his condolences for the recent series
of tsunami and earthquake tragedies in Indonesia, noting the
increased burden this placed on the MOH. He congratulated
the Minister for her success in controlling polio as
evidenced by both the high vaccination rate and the fact
that no new cases have been reported in the last 5 months.
He noted that polio remains a significant risk in Indonesia
with many children under five years old still insufficiently
immunized. The Minister noted that additional vaccination
campaigns are planned.

3. (SBU) The Ambassador conveyed his appreciation for the
Ministry's cooperation and transparency shown in combating
avian influenza in the human population but noted his
continued concern about the Ministry of Agriculture's lack
of effectiveness in controlling the disease in the animal
population. He emphasized that good cooperation and sharing
of samples will be crucial to managing the AI challenge.
The Ambassador explained that AI in Indonesia is being
closely followed in Washington. He noted that USAID is
finalizing the $11.5 million in assistance promised by
Secretary Rice in March 2006 and that the USG will continue

SIPDIS
to provide other technical assistance from the Centers for
Disease Control, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.


NAMRU-2 Memorandum of Understanding
------------------------------------

4. (SBU) The Ambassador praised the increased cooperation
between NAMRU-2 and LITBANGKES (National Institute of Health
Research and Development) with the recent appointment of Dr.
Triono, as Director General. He expressed appreciation for
the Minister's support of NAMRU-2 but also noted that the
Minister could further help by rescinding the October 25,
2005 letter, regarding NAMRU-2 status. The Minister
acknowledged that the NAMRU-2 MOU was receiving support from
higher levels and turned to Triono to describe the next
steps. Triono explained that a number of MOUs are being
examined in detail in order to study the NAMRU-2 MOU and
that a final decision would be forthcoming. (Comment:
Minister Supari did not respond about rescinding the letter
and may not have understood the reference. LITBANGKES'
October 25, 2005 circular to all Ministry of Health units
terminating all collaboration with NAMRU-2 on 31 December
2005 remains in force. However, intervention by senior GOI
officials prevented the full implementation of this
circular. Dr. Triono's April 2006 appointment as the new
Director General of LITBANGKES did much to improve relations
with NAMRU-2. Recent meetings with DEPLU indicate that the
GOI is ready to move forward on negotiations of a new NAMRU-
2 MOU. End Comment.)

BSL-3 Labs, Disease Prevention
------------------------------

5. (SBU) Ambassador Pascoe noted the USG was prepared to
assist in other MOH issues such as BSL3 laboratory
development. Triono acknowledged that he had met with
Department experts on BSL3 development and was awaiting
follow-up. Minister Supari also described the MOH's plan to
establish national minimum health services standards for
regional offices. She noted MOH's need for USD 35 million
in financial assistance to help launch a communications
strategy for 9,000 pilot villages. It would later be
expanded to 70,000 villages so that workers can provide
information on avian influenza, malaria, and other diseases.
(Note: USAID is supporting village level AI and other
disease prevention through its AI and Maternal and Child
Health programs. End Note.) The Ambassador concluded the
meeting by emphasizing the importance of continued close
communication between the MOH and the Embassy and pledged to
work with the MOH on evolving health priorities.

PASCOE

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.