UNAIR NEWS – The application and research of stem cells are still lacking in Indonesia, despite being a cutting-edge medical technology. On Tuesday, July 26, 2022, UNAIR Stem Cell Research and Development Center held the 17th batch of stem cell webinar and workshop.
Exploring the Multidiscipline Approach of Stem Cells Therapy, the webinar was attended by the Health Minister of Indonesia Ir Budi Gunadi Sadikin and the Chairman of the Stem Cell Committee of the Health Ministry, Dr. Amin Soebandrio.
Welcoming the keynote speakers and participants, UNAIR Rector Prof Mohammad Nasih said that the development of science and technology always has two opposite sides. Apart from the medical benefits of stem cell technology development, it also has risks in terms of safety, efficacy, and ethics.
Therefore, Prof Nasih expected a synergistic collaboration between parties and disciplines in stem cell technology development to reduce the risks.
“At least we can minimize the risk level to be commensurate with the benefits of stem cells when it is applied as a health service in Indonesia in the future,” he added.
6 Pillars of Health Transformation
The minister stated that the Health Ministry (Kemenkes RI) supports the technology development of stem cells. The development corresponds to the six pillars of health transformation coined by the Health Ministry. One of them is the health technology transformation.
“With the pandemic, the Health Ministry began to realize the importance of health system transformation in Indonesia, particularly the improvement of health technology. Therefore, we will always fully support the rise of new technology,” Budi said.
On stem cell development, the minister emphasizes that the implementation will have to meet the research standards. The safety and efficacy of stem cell implementation must also be carefully considered.
“We are obliged to ensure that the development of stem cell technology must be based on evidence and standard scientific processes to minimize the negative impacts,” Budi affirmed.
He ensured that the Health Minister is ready to fully support the development of stem cell technology. The ministry will formulate a formal and transparent stem cell research program immediately.
“Later, if the research fits the procedure and ethics, and the health assessment results prove to be feasible, the stem cell technology as a health service in Indonesia can be realized immediately,” Budi said.
Author: Ivan Syahrial Abidin
Editor: Binti Q Masruroh
