Member News

As a continuation of a previous meeting on 27 July 2021, the EuroCham Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Working Group Task Force for medical devices had the privilege to again meet the Deputy of Tourism and Creative Economy from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Odo Manuhutu. The joint meeting held on 3 September 2021 also invited representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), the US-ASEAN Business Council, APACMed, and the Indonesia Canada Chamber.

This meeting aims to continue the advocacy effort carried out by the Working Group related to the issue of the delisting of 79 imported medical devices products on the e-catalog that abruptly occured a few weeks ago. In this regard, it was highlighted that there are still several pending issues and work in progress to be pursued, including those related to the Draft Regulation on Local Content, specifically for Medical Devices. Realizing that the application of the current local content requirement potentially hinders investment in the medical devices industry, the affected companies will individually approach the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs to request further guidance as to the next steps for each individual company.

The second day of the Second National Health Philanthropy Forum, held on August 25th 2021, via Zoom teleconference, was opened directly by the PKMK Philanthropy Pokja FK – KMK UGM, dr. Jodi Vishnu, MPH. In general, this forum aims to explore the potential for philanthropic funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the first day, Jodi concluded that Indonesia has a high social capital, resilience, tax incentives advocacy, and funding strategy. All of these points endeavor to support better policy strategies. In addition to policy strategies, the government, philanthropic, and community relations are required to overcome challenges in health funding in the field (procurement and distribution), which are expected to foster the improvement of the health quality of Indonesian people.

dr. Andi Saguni, M.A. from the Ministry of Health, started the presentation on Philanthropy Donations Management at the Indonesian Ministry of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic by conveying the background of the establishment of the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory Emergency Hospital as a COVID treatment hospital. The data analysis on donations needed and recommendations are first carried out to close the gap between the supply and demand in the management of philanthropic donations. All receipts from the donations have been documented and signed as the minutes for the donated goods. Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory Emergency Hospital does not accept cash but only uses a third party to receive the goods, done in such a manner to avoid fraud. There is a legal basis that regulates the donation of philanthropic funds. There is also accountability for the administration of philanthropic donations.

He also gave profound appreciation to the donors who have been involved in donating for the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory Emergency. This includes the members of EuroCham who have been strikingly active in providing donations in the form of materials needed to fight COVID-19. He also presented the total amount of donations for the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory Emergency per August 20th 2021, is IDR 5.694.742.202