In his opening remarks for the commemoration of the 59th National Health Day in Jakarta on Thursday, Amin called on relevant parties to place innovation and technology as the foundation of the ongoing transformation in the health sector in Indonesia.
"We must invest utmost efforts since health innovation and technology reflect the face of civilization in the future. Health innovation and technology will meet the need of modern society for practical, swift, easy, and affordable health services," he remarked.
As a big country blessed with abundant natural and human resources, Amin emphasized the need for Indonesia to continue to invest even greater efforts to create innovation and master technology to keep up with rapid developments, including in the health sector.
Amin observed that innovation would emerge in a health ecosystem that is willing to evolve for the better.
"Therefore, let us work together to continue to create innovation with the aim of improving the quality of our health system and services. We cannot afford to let our health system fail to meet the needs of the people and be left behind in the global competition," he stressed.
The vice president then noted that by ensuring a mutually beneficial relation between innovation, technology, and health, Indonesia would succeed in boosting its health services' efficiency.
Innovation does not merely revolve around the discovery of advanced technology, as it is also related to the need for a nation to think creatively to optimize its natural resources, he stated.
"We can learn from developed countries that have been successful in integrating traditional medicines into their health systems," he emphasized.
He further noted that Indonesia is home to a plethora of plant species that can be used as traditional medicines.
"However, only a handful of plants have been used as raw materials in the industry of traditional medicine, such as temulawak (Javanese ginger), cumin, cardamom, and star anise," he pointed out.
Amin then joyfully welcomed the designation of temulawak as Indonesia’s featured medicinal plant.
"I want the production of temulawak-based medicines to be supervised to maintain the quality and ensure they are safe for public consumption," he remarked.
He then pushed for continuously promoting traditional medicines that have been standardized and well-received, so they can compete with similar products from other countries.
Related news: Domestic medical equipment players only hold 25% of market share
Related news: Jokowi urges health centers to innovate in reducing stunting cases
Translator: Rangga P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
