LAM-PTKes, the first Health Education Accreditation Agency in Indonesia, recently organised an international seminar titled Asia Africa Quality Forum: International Conference on Improving Collaboration to Enhance the Quality of Health Profession Education in Asia and Africa. The event took place from December 4 to 6, 2024, at the Mercure Convention Centre Hotel in Ancol, North Jakarta.
Supporting global health education
LAM-PTKes reaffirmed its commitment to advancing global health education. The agency supports the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) vision for health workforce development, especially in health education accreditation.
In an official statement on December 7, 2024, LAM-PTKes Chairman Usman Chatib Warsa noted that Indonesia aims to achieve international recognition for its healthcare professionals by 2024. Usman explained that the forum provided an opportunity for sharing best practices, resources, and innovations in accreditation and quality improvement within medical and health education. It also encouraged dialogue and collaboration among health educators, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Strengthening international collaboration
Usman further highlighted the global recognition Indonesian doctors have gained, including from the United States. This recognition results from LAM-PTKes accreditation. He also mentioned that the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) now facilitates the exchange of healthcare professionals, not just for doctors but also for dentists and nurses.
Ricardo Len-Brquez, President of the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME), emphasised the importance of Africa-Asia collaboration in improving the quality of medical education. This effort, which started in 1955, continues to grow. A meeting in Bali in 2022 further strengthened this collaboration. A strategic agreement was signed to continue enhancing cooperation.
LAM-PTKes also signed a Cooperation Agreement within the Asia Africa Quality Assurance for Higher Education in Health (AAQAHEH) Forum. This agreement commits the parties to establish the Asia Africa Quality Forum (AAQF) and improve health education quality in line with WHO’s strategy.
Arum Atmawikarta, Coordinator of the AAQF 2024, stated that the agreement marks a significant step in promoting collaboration to improve the quality of health education.
