Launch of Indonesia’s National Cancer Control Plan at the Indonesia International Cancer Conference (IICC)
Indonesia launched its first national cancer control plan 2024-2034 on the first day of the Indonesia International Cancer Conference taking place in Bali from the 3-5 October, with the support of UICC member organisations in the country.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Indonesia’s first national cancer control plan (NCCP) was presented at the Indonesia International Cancer Conference, aiming to expand cancer screening and treatment, funded by a $4 billion loan from international financial institutions.
- Supported by UICC members, the NCCP seeks to improve cancer infrastructure across the country’s 17,000 islands.
- Dr Sonali Johnson of UICC highlighted the importance of collaboration in cancer control and shared global perspectives on implementing national cancer plans during the conference attended by 1,000 delegates from 36 countries.
At the Indonesia International Cancer Conference taking place in Bali on 3-5 October, the Minister of Health of Indonesia, HE Budi Gunadi Sadikin, spoke about cancer as a top priority for the country along with cardiovascular disease and stroke, and emphasised the country’s commitment to global targets on cancer and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The Minister of Health outlined the challenges that Indonesia faces in effectively addressing cancer throughout the archipelago, which consists of over 17,000 islands and a diverse population. These include scaling up cancer prevention and early detection programmes, increasing access to systemic therapy and radiation therapy and growing the human resources that are required to address cancer in Indonesia.
Minister Sadikin highlighted the progress that has been made to increase coverage of breast cancer screening and treatment, as well as HPV vaccination and testing, where USD 4 billion will be accessed through loans from lending institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. These funds will be used to scale up Indonesia’s cancer infrastructure, including screening for cervical, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers.
Indonesia’s first national cancer control plan (NCCP) was initiated by the Ministry of Health and supported by UICC members in Indonesia, including the Indonesian Radiation Oncology Society (IROS), Cancer Information and Support Center (CISC), the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (ICF), Dharmais Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FKUI).
The Indonesia International Cancer Conference brought together over 1,000 delegates from 36 countries, with sessions and discussion ranging from the latest advancements in medical research and innovative treatment modalities to comprehensive patient care strategies and health system reforms.
Dr Sonali Johnson, Head of Knowledge Advocacy and Policy at UICC spoke on a panel on national cancer control planning, bringing in the experience of UICC and the International Cancer Control Partnership on moving from planning an NCCP to implementation, as well as giving a keynote on UICC’s perspective on collaborative strategies in cancer control.
“I am delighted to be attending this conference to work closely with UICC members in Indonesia as well as in the region more broadly on cancer control priorities. The launch of Indonesia’s first ever NCCP is a fantastic development demonstrating Indonesia’s prioritisation of cancer in its national health agenda. UICC stands ready to assist Indonesia and our members in the country as the country moves towards implementing its NCCP.”
– Dr Sonali Johnson, Head, Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy.
Last update
Monday 07 October 2024
