If your country has not done it yet, then I wish to invite you all to become a part of this important goal
Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Indonesia has provided funding worth US$50 billion to the Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) to strengthen the global health system, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated.

"Together, we had agreed to form the FIF with G20 countries. I already committed to providing US$50 billion," he noted during the Health Working Group 2nd & Side Event One Health here on Monday.

The G20 is an international forum comprising 19 countries that work together to handle major issues. Indonesia is holding the presidency of the grouping this year.

Health Working Groups is one of G20's working groups in the Sherpa Track that discusses health-related matters.

Sadikin expects several countries to stay committed to providing their funding to FIF as part of the efforts to bolster the global health system

"If your country has not done it yet, then I wish to invite you all to become a part of this important goal," he emphasized.

Countries that contributed to the FIF can receive direct benefits to support the transformation of their domestic health sector, he remarked.

With adequate funding, the next important step will be correctly utilizing this funding to improve pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, he affirmed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia managed to mobilize vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics through COVAX and COVID-19 ACT-Accelerator.

"However, a more permanent coordination platform is necessary against future health threats," he stressed.

This platform should handle five core elements of the global pandemic preparedness, the minister explained.

These elements comprise mitigation access, emergency coordination, collaborative intelligence, people protection, and clinical treatment for patients who need them.

Related news: G20: 2nd HWG meeting to discuss easing global health access

On the occasion, Sadikin also emphasized the importance of sharing data of pathogens that have pandemic potential.

"In this case, we, as G20 countries, must unite to be able to produce strong analysis, prevent the next pandemic, and quickly yield diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics when a crisis emerges," he remarked.

Now is an important moment to build a more resilient global health system, he stated.

"This is our collective responsibility as the health leaders from the largest economy in the world for the health and prosperity of our children and their children," he noted.

Related news: G20 HWG delegates agree to harmonize global health protocols

Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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