The Impact Of Diseases Can End The Economy, BRIN Hopes National Health Research To Be Improved

Illustration of research at the LIPI research center laboratory in Bogor Regency, West Java. (Between)

JAKARTA - The health research organization of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) reminded the importance of increasing research or health research in the country.

BRIN Head Ni Luh Putu Indi Dharmanyti said research is important for domestic interests if he wants to be ready to face potential new infectious diseases in the future.

"In dealing with infectious diseases, it is necessary to increase the capacity and capability of research and strengthen surveillance to identify new pathogens, appropriate research infrastructure capacity, as well as effective cooperation, communication and coordination for preparedness research efforts to deal with and predict a pandemic," said Indi in his statement, Wednesday, November 23.

He said, the results of research in the health sector will be useful in reducing the double burden in the health sector that Indonesia is facing, whether it is against infectious diseases or not.

For this reason, Indi said Indonesia must anticipate the threat of disease whether infectious or not in the future. This, he said, reflects on its impacts such as the COVID-19 pandemic which affects the economy, mortality, morbidity, social and geopolitical implications.

From the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has become aware of the need for efforts and anticipation in preparedness for the next pandemic.

Indi also explained that what Indonesia needs to pay attention to is the source of infectious diseases that often come from animals. Therefore, research is needed to understand the nature of the main host, the range of the host, the occurrence of virus spillovers, the frequency of infecting and the type of intermediary host.

"By understanding this, it will strengthen surveillance of zoonotic diseases in remote areas," he said.

In addition, he said approaches were needed in the human health sector, animals, and the environment to achieve better public health.

A health approach that has the principles of communication, cooperation and collaboration in several sectors is expected to be an effective strategy to address health risks globally.

In encouraging an increase in health research, BRIN held the first International Conference for Health (ICHR) 2022 with the theme 'Current Progress in Health Quality Improvement: From Research Rooms to Clinical Implementation (Current Progression on Enhancing the Quality of Health: From Research Chamber to Clinical Implementation)'.

Indi said the international conference was aimed at deploying and encouraging the latest exchange of progress made in all research institutions.

Including, he continued, promoting the prospect of multinational and or multi-institutional cooperation to achieve good health and welfare.