"We need to form a global platform to share genome sequencing data. Forget about geopolitics, and keep humanity in mind. Forget about the economy, who will get the data, but keep in mind how many lives can be saved," he remarked here on Thursday.
At the 'High-Level International Seminar: Strengthening Global Health Architecture,' organized as part of the G20 agenda, the minister said that effort is needed to strengthen the global health architecture.
The need for a platform for sharing genome sequencing data is reflected in the experience when COVID-19 began to spread in Wuhan, China, Sadikin said. The genome sequencing data that was uploaded within a few weeks was made accessible to researchers at that time, he added.
The ability to access data quickly like that is needed when facing a pandemic because viruses spread very quickly, he noted.
A global platform for genome sequence data sharing is part of Indonesia's push for a better global health system, he said.
The Health Minister also underlined the importance of having a global health fund to deal with potential pandemics.
Considering the existence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has helped countries tackle financial difficulties within weeks, the global health fund can do the same thing to help countries facing a health crisis, he explained.
A global health fund is needed to quickly help those in need in the event of another pandemic in the future, he added.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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