I was on business in Jakarta, Indonesia to give a research talk at the 1st International Conference on Global Health (See the website).  The opening ceremony of the conference was held with an Indonesian ethnic dance, welcoming participants as shown in the featured image. The Indonesian government has started its universal health coverage (UHC) program as of January 1st, 2014, targeting the universal coverage until 2019. However, many difficulties have to be overcome to achieve the goal of the universal health coverage which can be seen in Japan, because Indonesia has a great percentage of farmers and so-called self-employed workers in the informal sector. On the other hand, Indonesia has a traditional medical practice called jamu–thought to be originated from Ayurveda and influenced by Chinese medicines in the early modern period–, an alternative medicine for the people who cannot afford costly healthcare until now. Nonetheless, if modern medical systems and the UHC program are smoothly spread, the role of jamu in Indonesia is expected to change in the medium and long term.  I was happy to get the chance to make a presentation on the issue and exchange useful information …