Indonesia and Sweden have signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in the healthcare sector, covering areas from disease prevention to radiotherapy infrastructure. The agreement was formalized by Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Swedish Health Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson on Tuesday, May 27, in Jakarta. 

The MoUs include collaborations on public health, antimicrobial resistance, the development of radiotherapy centers, and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Minister Budi said the partnership is expected to serve as a catalyst for improving Indonesia’s healthcare system, particularly in enhancing local capabilities and access to advanced technology. 

“This agreement is about exploring whether Sweden’s innovations and high-tech medical solutions can be applied in Indonesia, especially for diseases that require specialized care,” Budi said during the forum titled Advancing Cooperation for a Healthier Future held at Ayana Midplaza Jakarta. 

The deal also emphasizes investments in healthcare workforce development, including training for nurses and midwives, and advancing research in areas such as lung cancer treatment, diabetes care, and early disease detection. Budi noted that the partnership aims to support Indonesia’s efforts in scaling up tropical disease research, though he did not disclose the total funding involved. 

Swedish Minister Johansson stated that Sweden is committed to supporting Indonesia in building a resilient and future-ready healthcare system through digital innovation and medical technology. “We are proud to back Indonesia’s vision by building impactful, inclusive, and forward-looking partnerships,” she said. 

Among the signed MoUs, Indonesia’s Health Ministry partnered with AstraZeneca to boost prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Another agreement involves collaboration with Swedish hygiene company Essity to strengthen Indonesia’s efforts in tackling antimicrobial resistance through knowledge exchange and capacity building. 

A strategic dialogue was also agreed upon between the Jakarta Provincial Government and Swedish diagnostics firm HemoCue to implement a community-based anemia screening program focused on early detection and timely intervention. 

In addition, a feasibility study grant has been approved for Dharmais Cancer Hospital to develop a new radiotherapy center. The funding, valued at 9 million Swedish Krona (approximately IDR 15.3 billion), was granted through a partnership between Swedfund, the Indonesian Health Ministry, and Business Sweden. 

“Patients at Dharmais often wait months for radiotherapy. With this support, we hope to significantly reduce the backlog,” said Sri Kumala Chandra, Management Consultant at Business Sweden. 

Business Sweden also expressed interest in supporting the development of Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta. A preliminary funding proposal has been submitted to consolidate the hospital’s currently scattered facilities into a single centralized building - a move expected to improve operational efficiency and patient safety. 

However, Kumala noted that the Fatmawati proposal remains in the early planning stage and still requires approval from the Ministry of Finance and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). “We haven’t determined the funding amount yet, as it will depend on the final scope of the project,” she said. 

This article is published in partnership with Katadata 
Original article here