TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In the future, as some countries continue to struggle with armed conflicts and natural disasters, Defense Minister of Indonesia Ryamizard Ryacudu stated that military medicine institutions worldwide will face severe challenges.

"The humanitarian crisis arising from armed conflicts and natural disasters is a challenge for military medicine," Ryacudu remarked during the 41st World Congress on Military Medicine (ICMM) on Friday.

Ryacudu remarked that while the challenge poses a real threat to any nation, it also provides an opportunity to the country to contribute.

The ICMM is currently being chaired by Indonesia.

He is optimistic that progress can be achieved by medical personnel and military doctors in Indonesia.

"For two years, we expect that the Indonesian military doctors can treat more deadly diseases such as Ebola," he emphasized.

Ebola became one of the topics of discussion at the conference.

The Ebola outbreak, which was centered in the West African region, has now spread to several countries.

Through this conference, he was optimistic that there will be increased cooperation between countries to combat Ebola and other diseases.

"Cooperation between countries is expected to be achieved. The cooperation can increase knowledge and lead to experience sharing," he emphasized.

ANTARA