UNAIR NEWS – Prof. Ferry Efendi, SKep, Ns, MSc, PhD, Professor of Nursing at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), was among the featured speakers at the KAIGO Policy Seminar, a joint initiative of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Project of Enhancement of Caregivers. The event, titled The Development of Japan’s Elderly Welfare System and Advances in Nursing Workforce Policy, took place Thursday (Sept. 18, 2025) in hybrid format—onsite at the Directorate General of Health Workforce Development in South Jakarta and online via Zoom.
Global aging on the rise
In his remarks, Prof. Efendi emphasized that population aging has become a worldwide concern. As healthcare improves globally, the number of older adults continues to climb, creating an urgent need for long-term care (LTC) systems that safeguard the quality of life for seniors.
He pointed to Japan as a model for an integrated LTC framework, which combines elderly care insurance with community-based services. Such an approach, he noted, could serve as a benchmark for Indonesia as it prepares for its own demographic shift.
“Global aging brings unique challenges. Indonesia is already grappling with a complex disease burden, while the demand for healthcare professionals grows steadily with demographic changes,” he said.
Opportunities for health graduates
Drawing from his research on international nurse migration, Prof. Efendi highlighted the key role of graduates from health institutions. Many Indonesian nurses have worked in Japan as caregivers, gaining global experience and strengthening their professional expertise. This migration, he added, has reciprocal benefits.
“Indonesia helps meet Japan’s workforce needs, while returnees bring back valuable knowledge, skills, and experiences,” said the Chair of REACH UNAIR.
Returnees as agents of change
According to Prof. Efendi, returnees with direct exposure to Japan’s eldercare system can significantly reinforce Indonesia’s healthcare infrastructure. They are positioned to share best practices, enrich education programs, and prepare the nation’s healthcare services for an aging population.
He stressed the importance of optimizing these contributions through well-structured policies. “The expertise they bring home should not remain personal—it must generate a broader impact for society,” he concluded.
He stressed the importance of optimizing these contributions through well-structured policies. “The expertise they bring home should not remain personal—it must generate a broader impact for society,” he concluded. Other featured speakers included Toshihiro Hayashi, Deputy Director General for Elderly Welfare and Disability, MHLW Japan; Yuli Farianti, MEpid, Director General of Health Human Resources; Dr. Etty Rekawati, SKp, MKM, Head of the Active Aging and Lifelong Wellness Research Cluster; Yonemaru Satoshi, Chief Advisor; and Anna Kurniati, SKM, MA, PhD, Director of Health Workforce Provision.
Author: Fania Tiara Berliana M
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
