On 27 November 2001, Board for Development and Empowerment of Human Resources for Health (Indonesian: Badan Pengembangan dan Pemberdayaan Sumber Daya Manusia Kesehatan) was established.

The minister of health, Terawan Agus Putranto, often published controversial statements about COVID-19.

[14] Some epidemiologist conducted research to determine locations around the world that could have undetected cases of the virus imported from abroad.

[17] However, his initial response to the spread of COVID-19, such as the initial recommendation to not wear a mask, is quite aligned with other public health officials around the world including Anthony Fauci of the United States' NIH and general directions from the World Health Organization.

[18][19] In November 2023, the ministry announced the establishment of an academy in Bali aligned with GISAID, the initiative that led the global documentation of the COVID-19 virus sequences.