Tunisia and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, including medicine regulation, food safety and pharmaceutical production. The agreement was reached by Tunisian Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, reports Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP), a partner of TV BRICS.
The ministers agreed to prepare a memorandum of understanding outlining areas for joint work. The proposed document will cover telemedicine, vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as exchanges of experts and official delegations to translate cooperation opportunities into practical projects.
Ferjani highlighted the importance of enabling countries to meet their own healthcare needs while strengthening international cooperation through equal partnerships. He also emphasised the role of universal health coverage in improving access to medical services.
The Tunisian minister underlined the value of local pharmaceutical production, wider use of telemedicine and the adoption of the One Health approach, which recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health. These measures can help improve vaccine availability and bring healthcare services closer to patients.
Ferjani also called for stronger roles for the WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), alongside support for countries seeking to improve their capacity to respond to epidemics and other public health emergencies.