Indonesia Dos Genomik Development, Minister Of Health: I Am Sure We Need It

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin/DOK of the Ministry of Health

JAKARTA - Indonesia is conducting genomic development by chairing a conference on the Southeast Asian level at the South East Asia Genomics 2022 meeting. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said genomic development is very much needed in Indonesia.

This genomic study plays a role in the public health care system, by providing a deep understanding of how genomics and DNA have an impact on personal health conditions.

"I really believe we need it. A very strong laboratory capacity, a very strong bioinformatic capacity center and a supportive human resource capacity," Budi said in his statement, Sunday, November 4.

Budi explained that Indonesia has capital in carrying out genomic development, namely biodiversity and large populations which are believed to produce accurate data for the industrial revolution in the health sector.

Budi gave an example, currently clinical guidelines use empirical therapy. Which means, everyone with the same diagnosis gets the same treatment.

Meanwhile, with genomics science, health workers will be able to adjust and personalize treatment for everyone towards precision treatment.

"I firmly believe that Indonesia is in a good position to continue developing the biotechnology and genomics industry, making the health and medical industry better in the future," said Budi.

So far, the Indonesian Ministry of Health has launched its first national genomic initiative through the Biomedical and Genome Science Initiative or BGSi as the foundation. "It is hoped that next year the adoption of technology can be utilized," he said.

The second stage is to build a platform and capacity, where Indonesia is currently in the stage of increasing its sequencing capacity.

In the last two years there has been an increase, where in 2020 Indonesia will only be able to carry out 140 genome sequencing, but by the end of 2021 Indonesia will be able to carry out 2000 genomic examinations.

"This figure is predicted to reach 8 thousand to 10 thousand by the end of 2022," added Budi.