UNAIR NEWS – The threat of infectious diseases has the potential to kill thousands and even millions of people every year. The threat appears as an outbreak that can damage public health, national security, and integrity. The disease consists of influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, infections that are resistant to antibiotics, HIV/AIDS.
Responding to this problem, Institute of Tropical Desease (ITD) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) in collaboration with Indonesian National Army Health Center (PUSKES TNI) held an international conference titled Infectious Disease, Biothreats and Military Medicine (INSBIOMM) on Tuesday, August 27. The conference was designed to facilitate and disseminate research by scientists and professionals in dealing with infectious diseases in Indonesia, particularly those relating to military health. Selected papers are planned to be published in Scopus indexed journals.
It was attended by Prof. Dr. H. Mohammad Nasih, SE., MT., Ak. CMA, Rector of Universitas Airlangga, Prof. Djoko Santoso, dr., Ph.d., K-GH., FINASIM, Vice Rector I, Col (MC) Iwan Tri Hapsoro, MD., M.Derm., M.AvMed., FINSDV., FAADV, Emiley S Kelley, Mark D.Lim, Ph.D., PMP, Prof. Maria Inge Lusida, dr., M.Kes., PhD., Sp.MK(K), Prof. drh. Wiku Adi Sasmito, M.Sc., Ph.D, MajGen (Ret). Ben Yura Rimba, dr., MARS and lecturers, Health Agency of Indonesian Navy, Army and Air Force.
The event which was held in Garuda Mukti Hall, 5th Floor, Campus C, was opened by Prof. Dr. H. Mohammad Nasih, SE., MT., Ak. In his remarks, Prof. Nasih said that with an international conference and research collaboration between researchers, it was hoped that it could produce innovations in preventing and resolving health problems related to infectious diseases in Indonesia based on their geographical location. Given that many diseases appear in various parts of the world and transmitted through animals. Thus, we must prepare in preventing and bring innovation in dealing with these problems.
“Disease can also potentially be misused in bioterrorism,” he said.
Prof. Nasih said that in handling and preventing diseases, collaboration in a multi-sector is needed. The collaborative concept in detecting animal, human and environmental health is the main alternative in improving health data and preventing transmission from around the world. There will be suggestions from various researchers, academics, and professionals to detect diseases early in responding to national health safety.
“All these actions are aimed at strengthening national health security,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. dr. Soetjipto, M.S., PhD revealed that in developing strategies to diagnose, prevent, and treat several infectious diseases that tend to increase every year, preparation in terms of facilities and capacity of strong human resources in various sectors is needed.
For this reason, in providing a better understanding, there is a need for contribution, collaboration, and communication between researchers in implementing global health safety. Based on research topics such as biochemistry, bioactive natural products, immunology, and several other infectious diseases discussed at this conference is expected to prepare the country’s health sector.
“It is very important to prepare the country’s capacity in responding to the threat of infectious disease. This research collaboration is expected to increase and can be implemented daily for world health safety, ” he added.
Author: Khefti Al Mawalia
