RI, US SEEKING NEW PATTERN OF HEALTH PARTNERSHIP

Jakarta, Sept 13 (ANTARA) - Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari left Sunday for Washington DC where she will meet U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to discuss a new pattern of health partnership between the two nations.

Siti Fadilah accompanied by senior diplomat Makarim Wibisono, two first echelon officials and a special staff member will discuss a plan to set up a biomedical research and public health center with Sebelius, the health ministry's public communications center said in a press statement on Sunday.

The meeting will be a follow up to a series of talks between the Indonesian Health Ministry and the US Department of Health and Human Services since President Barack Obama took office early this year.

A delegation from the US Department of Health and Human Services visited Jakarta in August 2009 to discuss a new pattern of health partnership based on the principles of equality, fairness and transparency beneficial to both nations.

Siti Fadilah said Indonesia was always open to cooperate with any other country in the health sector by prioritizing the principles of equality, transparency, mutual benefit, mutual respect, accountability and good governance.

"And the new US government under the leadership of President Barack Obama has brought about a new positive spirit which accords with the principles Indonesia is pursuing," she said.

Under the new pattern of health partnership, the two countries would among others cooperate in controlling communicable diseases and assessing health risks and responses, she said. ***3***