"At the beginning of the pandemic, the original Wuhan coronavirus strain appeared. If China did not inform (about) the virus, Indonesia did not know about COVID-19 and how to handle itYogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Health Ministry's Secretary-General Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha emphasized the importance of developing cooperation in sharing virus data information through the GISAID+ concept via the G20 Forum to improve response in handling the pandemic.
"At the beginning of the pandemic, the original Wuhan coronavirus strain appeared. If China did not inform (about) the virus, Indonesia did not know about COVID-19 and how to handle it," Nugraha stated at the 1st Health Ministers Meeting (HMM) at the Marriot Hotel, here on Monday.
He noted that China reported the emergence of the world's first coronavirus strain through the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) platform.
The report was then analyzed by health science experts from various countries until it was concluded that the original Wuhan variant had the characteristics of rapid transmission and had the potential to cause symptoms of illness.
Related news: Indonesia seeks G20 support for global health funding agency
"Since then, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have emerged," he remarked.
A similar situation was also observed during the surfacing of the Delta variant, with relevant authorities in South Africa reporting on it. With that information, the rest of the world knew how to handle the variant, Nugraha noted.
He deemed it important to encourage cooperation in developing virus-related data sharing between countries through the G20 Forum, which was currently being supported by 19 countries, with the largest economic influence in the world plus intergovernmental and supranational organizations of the European Union.
The goal of this program is to help health authorities to formulate mitigation measures for handling the situation and patients. It is also expected to raise awareness for the national and international pharmaceutical industries to quickly adapt to the vaccine and medicine developments.
At the 1st HMM on June 20-21, 2022, the cooperation development in virus data sharing was also discussed through the GISAID+ concept.
This development adds new virus variants reported for all types of non-influenza pathogens, bacteria, or viruses.
Related news: G20 HWG encourages resilient global health architecture
"The difference with GISAID+ is that the mechanism of the variants that will be reported is more diverse, and not only for influenza but also monkeypox and others," Nugraha stated.
GISAID+ is also directed to become a forum for the development of knowledge among researchers and related institutions in the world in formulating steps to mitigate pandemic risks in future.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the concept of GISAID+ is a global surveillance network that allows each country to discuss the emergence of pathogens that may trigger the next pandemic identified in the world.
"We will also discuss the nation's labor and goods in the middle of the lockdown," he added.
Related news: G20 cooperates on Financial Intermediary Fund to face future pandemics
Related news: Indonesia set to host 1st G20 finance, health ministerial meeting
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
