Prabowo: RI's Health Cooperation 'Thailand' Is Important In Facing A Pandemic

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto stated that the cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand is an important step to strengthen capacity in anticipating the potential emergence of a new pandemic in the future.

"We have just witnessed the signature of the MoU (memorandum of Understanding) in the health sector to increase our cooperation, to jointly increase our capacity," he said in a joint statement session at a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, Monday, May 19.

On this occasion, the Head of State witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding about the health cooperation between the two countries by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono and Minister of Health of Thailand Somsak Thepsutin.

This memorandum of understanding marks a joint commitment to increase the capacity of the national health system of the two countries as well as strengthen diplomatic relations that have existed for 75 years.

Presiden Prabowo mengatakan kolaborasi ini menjadi krusial di tengah peningkatan risiko global terhadap ancaman kesehatan, terutama setelah dunia mengalami pandemi COVID-19.

"Dan, hal ini sangat penting menghadapi kemungkinan-kemungkinan terjarangnya pandemi-pandemi baru," katanya.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed his country's readiness to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia in the health sector, both in bilateral schemes and in the framework of international cooperation.

"As members of the Global Health Group, Thailand and Indonesia work together within the framework of international cooperation, and we are ready to work together on Indonesian health issues and in our global cooperation," he said.

He said this collaboration also strengthens the position of the two countries as strategic partners in ASEAN on health issues and sustainable development.

In addition to cooperation in the health sector, President Prabowo has also strengthened bilateral relations in various strategic sectors, including defense and security, economy, education, and food security with Thailand.