UNAIR NEWS – The Institute of Tropical Diseases of Universitas Airlangga (ITD UNAIR) was trusted for the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) staff internships. The internship application was submitted directly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Indonesia, as this is part of the JICA – BPOM project.
In the internship program, two BPOM staff learned about biosafety and biosecurity to be applied at work at the Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) Laboratory. Currently, BPOM uses the BSL-2 Laboratory and will develop the BSL-3 Laboratory.
“The Laboratory at BPOM is still BSL-2, but it is BSL-3 here (at ITD UNAIR, ed). The knowledge gained here will be used to build BSL-3 at BPOM,” said Yus Hargono Cahyaning Yudi M.Sc, one of the interns.
At ITD UNAIR, Yus and other colleagues did an internship for three days from Wednesday to Friday, January 19-21, 2022. Biosafety, continued Yus, refers to ways and strategies so that testers are not exposed to hazardous materials in the Laboratory. Meanwhile, biosecurity is a strategy to prevent disease-causing pathogens from entering or leaving a place, resulting in exposure to pathogens to humans or other animals.
“Through this internship, we also hope to work together on laboratory certification and bio-officer certification,” he added.
Meanwhile, Head of ITD UNAIR Dr. Maria Inge Lusida, dr, M.Kes, Ph.D, Sp.MK(K)., revealed that the internship program was a JICA – BPOM project. The Laboratory Biorisk Management Program held in the previous week was also in collaboration with the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB University).
“Here, interns learn everything about the management of the BSL-3 Laboratory, from entering the Laboratory, working inside, replacing filters, to managing waste. They also learn how to do research in the Laboratory involving very dangerous microorganisms,” said Prof. Inge.
“It is an honor for us to be trusted by JICA for this internship program at ITD UNAIR. Hopefully, we can maintain communication and exchange experiences with BPOM colleagues. We are always welcome to cooperate,” she added.
The BSL-3 Laboratory of ITD UNAIR often turns into a learning place because of its scarcity in Indonesia. During this Covid-19 pandemic, the BSL-3 Laboratory is also used to test Covid-19 samples from various regions. (*)
Author: Binti Q. Masruroh
