On 11 October 2023, the HFACT team at the Centre for Health Economics (CHE), University of York had the pleasure and privilege of welcoming a delegation of researchers, public health officials, and economists from the Universitas Indonesia for a one-day workshop and training event. Members of the delegation from Universitas Indonesia included HFACT members from the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Studies (CHEPS) and it was lovely to catch up and see each other in person. The objectives for the event included discussing the potential for expanding research, teaching and training collaboration to areas other than Health Economics, especially Health Administration and Global Health issues. Additionally, capacity strengthening and training on policy engagement was also discussed.
Presentations were given by Dr Prastuti Soewondo on Health Transformation in Indonesia. Dr Soewondo is a special staff member for the Minister of Health Government of Indonesia for the area of Public Health Services. Professor Dumilah Ayuningtyas, Head of Department of Health Policy and Administration introduced the Centre for Health Administration and Policy Studies (CHAMPS) with Vetty Yulianty. Dr Wiku Baktibawono Adisasmito (Department of Health Policy and Administration Universitas Indonesia and Head of Indonesia One Health University Network) delivered a presentation on proposed ideas to broaden collaborations, and shared with us some of his insights working with the Indonesian government on health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The delegation attended the Department of Health Sciences seminar from Professor Helen Elsey focused on understanding scaling up health policy. Dr Julia Hatamyar and Dr Ivan Ochoa-Moreno (HFACT, CHE) gave presentations on their research collaborations with CHEPS and potential collaborations based on their previous work. Dr Kamran Saddiqi of the Department of Health Sciences presented on how his NIHR Global Health Centre IMPACT engages with policy makers, and the day concluded with Dr Naomi Gibbs (CHE) sharing her research on how alcohol pricing policies could potentially improve population health in South Africa.
It was a busy, productive day that has laid the groundwork for new collaborations, not only within the HFACT team, but with the greater University of York and Universitas Indonesia health economics and policy researchers.
