Visit By Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan To Jakarta, Indonesia, 25-26 November 2005

25 Nov 2005

1 Mr Khaw Boon Wan will visit Jakarta on 25-26 November 2005 for two purposes.

2 First, as the Minister for Health, he will meet his Indonesian counterpart, Dr Siti Fadillah Supari, to follow-up on the discussion at the APEC Summit between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on bilateral cooperation in flu pandemic preparedness. They will see how both countries can cooperate with other countries such as the US and international organisations like the WHO and the World Bank to launch a pilot project in Indonesia to enhance the surveillance and the control of avian influenza. 

3 In this connection, Mr Khaw will, on behalf of the Singapore Government, formally handover Singapore's package of assistance on avian influenza to Dr Siti Fadillah Supari who will receive it on behalf of the Government of Indonesia. The package of assistance, first offered by Prime Minister Lee to President Yudhoyono at their Retreat in Bali, includes assistance in capacity building in both veterinary and public health. The package covers training and technical support to help Indonesia in surveillance, outbreak management, diagnostics and infection control.  Singapore will also provide 5000 doses of antiviral medication (Tamiflu), 5000 sets of personal protective equipment for their health-care workers, and 5000 rapid diagnostic kits.

4 Secondly, as PAP's First Organising Secretary, Mr Khaw will lead a PAP delegation to an International Conference organised by the Golkar Party in connection with their 41st Anniversary Celebrations.  Mr Ahmad Khalis, MP and two PAP Branch Secretaries will join Mr Khaw in the delegation.

5 They will call on Vice President Jusuf Kalla who is also Chairman of the Golkar Party.

Ministry of Health

25 November 2005