The world faced immense challenges when COVID-19 struck in early 2020. Indonesia, like many countries, struggled with virus spread due to globalization and inadequate health systems, including limited testing, vaccine distribution, and public communication.

Recognizing this urgency of addressing these gaps and the need for innovative solutions, the Center for Tropical Medicine UGM, together with representation from the Ministry of Health RI, WHO Indonesia, and USAID Indonesia, launched the Global Health Security Talks (GHS Talks) webinar series with the support from International Development Research Center, Government of  Canada (IDRC Canada) through Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic Preparedness Project (AI4PEP) and USAID. This initiative, beginning with the webinar titled “Strengthening Surveillance and Response to Potential Pandemics through Innovation,” aims to enhance global health defenses and better prepare for future challenges.

Opened by dr. Triya Novita Dinihari, Head of the Health Surveillance Working Group at the Ministry of Health RI. Dr. Dini highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve the infectious disease surveillance system, stressing the critical role of collaborative surveillance in mitigating outbreak threats across various levels. “We are no longer questioning whether another pandemic will occur, but instead, but when it will happen. This means we must prepare ourselves for the next pandemic,” stated Dr. Dini. She also unveiled a risk calendar, developed in partnership with WHO, designed to inform on potential infectious disease risks at specific times.

The second speaker, dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, Director of the Center for Tropical Medicine FK-KMK UGM, highlighted various innovations in strengthening infectious disease surveillance systems by academics. These innovations have the potential to be further developed with the government and other stakeholders, especially donors through grant funding. “The key challenge in pandemic preparedness lies in our readiness to implement early detection and our ability to mitigate risks at the earliest stage,” said Dr. Donnie.

Continued by dr. Mushtofa Kamal, M.Sc, representing WHO Indonesia, delivered a presentation on the importance of utilizing diverse data sources to detect outbreak threats. He explained Epidemic Intelligence, an innovative surveillance method that uses information from the internet and community rumors as signals.

Last but not least, to end the session, Monica Latuihamallofrom USAID Indonesia delivered the closing presentation. She discussed USAID’s support for Global Health Security in Indonesia. This support includes developing systems and innovations crucial for strengthening health resilience against future infectious disease threats.

This event culminated in a dynamic Q&A session, emphasizing the crucial need for ongoing innovation and strengthen the health resilience; both nationally, and regionally. The speakers also unanimously agreed that only through robust collaboration and groundbreaking innovation can we effectively confront and overcome global health challenges.

We hope that this webinar will serve as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and dissemination of crucial information about enhancing our pandemic preparedness and response strategies.

Watch Kick-off Webinar GHS Talks (18/7) here.