This was the main point from the Morning Discussion on “Integrating Science, Policy, and Action for Antimicrobial Resistance”, held at the Library of the Erasmus Huis on August 24, coinciding with the visit of Andrea Connell, Deputy Director of International Affairs of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sports.

Andrea Connell and her colleagues Mark van Passel and Eva de Groot are visiting Indonesia to meet with different stakeholders to strengthen the collaborations between Indonesia and the Netherlands. AMR has been a topic of collaboration between the two countries even before the two countries signed an MoU on Healthcare in 2018. Their visit is also to make way for the appointment of a Health Counselor at the Embassy in Jakarta.

The discussions this morning featured three important speakers: Dr. Mark van Passel, Coordinator of the Netherlands Global Health Strategy, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport; Prof. dr. Anis Karuniawati, PhD, Sp. MK (K), Chair of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Committee; and Dr. dr. Ralalicia Limato, MPH, Drive-AMS Indonesia; moderated by dr. Amy Rahmadanti, Team Leader of Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Prevention, Indonesian Ministry of Health. Mark shared the Netherlands approach on AMR, and their role on global efforts, Prof. Anis shared the landscape in Indonesia, and dr. Ralalicia, outlined the cooperation between two countries through DRIVE AMS Programme. 

All panelist agreed that collaboration is the key word, as the fight against AMR is relevant on the long-term and multisectoral. Through collaboration, Indonesia and the Netherlands can lead by example. The Embassy would like to thank all speakers and moderator, as well as the participants for making the discussion a success.