Microsoft founder and renowned philanthropist Bill Gates, during his visit to the Indonesian presidential palace, highly praised the Indonesian government's efforts in public health, particularly in children's vaccination.
This visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Gates Foundation. In his speech, Gates stated that Indonesia is one of the exemplary countries globally in introducing new vaccines, including those for the human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus (which causes diarrhea), and pneumococcal (which causes pneumonia).
He specifically mentioned Indonesia's Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and his active role on the board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), an international organization supported by the Gates Foundation.
Gates noted that Sadikin established connections with GAVI during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently, Indonesia's cooperation with the organization deepened, yielding significant results.
He emphasized that Indonesia's collaboration with global public health organizations reflects the country's firm commitment to protecting the next generation from preventable diseases.
Gates pointed out that expanding vaccine coverage is one of the critical factors in the notable decline of global child mortality rates over the past 20 years.
He recalled that when the Gates Foundation was established in 2000, about 10 million children under the age of five died annually worldwide, with major causes including diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and other preventable diseases.
Approximately 90% of these deaths were attributable to these diseases, prompting the foundation to focus on promoting vaccine research and distribution and the dissemination of other essential medical tools.
Gates said that the number of deaths of children under five globally has now been halved, reduced to less than 5 million, but this figure is still too high.
He expressed confidence in further improving children's health in the future, especially with the drive of technological innovation and international cooperation.
Gates finally stated that Indonesia plays a strategic role in advancing global health, covering vaccine research, distribution, and the strengthening of national health systems.
This visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Gates Foundation. In his speech, Gates stated that Indonesia is one of the exemplary countries globally in introducing new vaccines, including those for the human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus (which causes diarrhea), and pneumococcal (which causes pneumonia).
He specifically mentioned Indonesia's Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and his active role on the board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), an international organization supported by the Gates Foundation.
Gates noted that Sadikin established connections with GAVI during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently, Indonesia's cooperation with the organization deepened, yielding significant results.
He emphasized that Indonesia's collaboration with global public health organizations reflects the country's firm commitment to protecting the next generation from preventable diseases.
Gates pointed out that expanding vaccine coverage is one of the critical factors in the notable decline of global child mortality rates over the past 20 years.
He recalled that when the Gates Foundation was established in 2000, about 10 million children under the age of five died annually worldwide, with major causes including diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and other preventable diseases.
Approximately 90% of these deaths were attributable to these diseases, prompting the foundation to focus on promoting vaccine research and distribution and the dissemination of other essential medical tools.
Gates said that the number of deaths of children under five globally has now been halved, reduced to less than 5 million, but this figure is still too high.
He expressed confidence in further improving children's health in the future, especially with the drive of technological innovation and international cooperation.
Gates finally stated that Indonesia plays a strategic role in advancing global health, covering vaccine research, distribution, and the strengthening of national health systems.