To become a Self-Reliant Nation

SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo made a working visit to Bandung to provide direction regarding the control of Covid-19 and witnessed the clinical trial of the Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday (11/8/2020).

Despite various obstacles, the homegrown Merah Putih Covid-19 vaccines continue to develop and show encouraging results. The pandemic has taught us that research is the key to survival

Though it is far too late compared to a lot of countries, Indonesia, deserves appreciation for developing the Merah Putih vaccines to the current stage. Moreover, the research has been managed despite several fundamental problems looming over the country’s research, such as those related to human resources, infrastructure and budget.

Also read:

> Overcoming Hindrances to Merah Putih Vaccine Research

> Proclamation of Independence

> Rejuvenation of Independence

The Merah Putih vaccines are being developed by Airlangga University, the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), with different levels of progress. AIrlangga University, partnering with PT Biotis Pharmaceuticals, is currently conducting its second stage of preclinical trials. Eijkman Institute and its partner state-owned firm Bio Farma, which have completed the research and development phase, are now transitioning to the industry. Meanwhile, BRIN is still constrained by the limited availability of level 3 animal biosafety and facilities to support good manufacturing practices.

This is where research plays a big role. Although the government has provided a lot of vaccines, vaccine availability is still required to ensure the sustainability of vaccination. To become a self-reliant nation, to stand on our own feet —the vision uttered by former president Sukarno—developing a locally produced vaccine is a must. Strengthening research, therefore, is important.

The country is now ranked 85th out of 131 countries in the Global Innovation Index.

We know that researchers in Indonesia are no less capable than foreign researchers. We also have a lot of research institutions, be it affiliated with universities, organizations or independent, such as the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT). However, with a research budget accounting for only 0.25 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), while other Asian countries allocated 2 percent or more of their GDP, it requires a lot effort to develop research in Indonesia. The country is now ranked 85th out of 131 countries in the Global Innovation Index.

A lot of things have to be fixed. We hope that the Education and Culture Ministry can work to consolidate existing research as well as science and technology resources in an effort to build a better research climate. Thus, innovative and useful products can be produced for the development of science and the community.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi is monitoring the GeNose inspection at Palembang\'s Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport, Saturday (22/5/2021)

We are grateful that the pandemic has brought us the simple and affordable GeNose, a coronavirus breathalyzer invented by Gadjah Mada University (UGM). We also have the promising Merah Putih vaccine research. This is an opportunity that must be supported with all the facilities that can be provided, of course with good research procedures and protocols.

(This article was translated by Camilia Adianti).