UNAIR NEWS – Ksatria Airlangga Floating Hospital (RSTKA) will open a dental care facility for archipelagic communities in Indonesia. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by RSTKA with the Faculty of Dental Medicine (FKG) Universitas Airlangga on Friday, March 19, 2021, aboard the floating hospital at Kalimas Port, Pier 5, Tanjung Perak.
Attending the MoU signing session, Chairman of Ksatria Airlangga Foundation, Christrijogo Sumartono, dr., Sp.An.KAR, Director of RSTKA Agus Hariyanto, dr., Sp.B, Dean of FKG, Dr. Agung Sosiawan drg., M.Kes, regional and branch administrators of Universitas Airlangga Alumni Association (IKA UA), as well as some officials of Universitas Airlangga Dental Hospital (RSGM).
Dr. Agung said, RSTKA has contributed healthcare services to the remote islands’ communities. On the other hand, based on experience so far, technically there are some areas that do not have any access to dental and oral healthcare services.
“We follow up with collaboration. Not only to provide services to the communities, more than that, it is also part of learning and research,” he said after signing the MoU.
His party will integrate the program to the education system, a curriculum with a certain academic value in FKG, in an effort to strengthen the tri dharma of higher education and the Independent Campus – Freedom of Learning program.
“This is an opportunity for us to implement an independent campus and freedom of learning,” he added.
With this collaboration, Faculty of Dental Medicine will place a dental specialist student to advocate oral and dental health in the communities. It is also for students’ community service through field practice program.
“Hopefully, this collaboration can contribute more to society and to the nation. Especially in health services for the archipelagic communities, “he said.
On that occasion, FKG also aided with a dental care unit to be placed in RSTKA, an installation to provide dental and oral healthcare services. IKA UA also handed over PPE to perform health services.
Meanwhile, Dr Agus shared that while providing services to the people in remote islands, oral and dental care service is needed. Some regions even do not even have dentists.
“This is a good opportunity for dentists and dental specialists to do research too,” he said.
The closest agenda, said dr. agus, RSTKA will hold a blood donation activity on March 30, 2021, in collaboration with Pelindo and Akrindo. Then, on April 8-12, RSTKA will sail to Kangean Island, providing health services at the Abuya Regional General Hospital (RSUD).
“This is very encouraging. Hopefully, there will be more diverse healthcare services to the people of the archipelago. This initiative is expected to help them (society, ed) more, “he said. (*)
Author: Feri Fenoria
