INDONESIAN HEALTH MINISTER PRAISES COOPERATION

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. 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