UNAIR NEWS – The Department of Clinical Pathology Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Medicine (UNAIR), in partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), recently held an international community outreach program on the importance of thalassemia screening for to-be-married couples and expectant mothers. The event took place on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in the 2nd floor Meeting Room of the Pacarkeling Health Center Unit in Surabaya.
Fifteen attendees participated actively in the session, where they learned about the critical role of early detection in managing thalassemia before marriage or during pregnancy. “We aim to increase public awareness of early thalassemia screening, particularly for those planning to marry or who are already expecting child,” said Dr. Yetti Hernaningsih, Chair of the Department of Clinical Pathology at FK UNAIR-RSUD Dr. Soetomo.
Promoting public health awareness
The collaboration between UNAIR and USM is designed to raise public awareness about the health risks associated with thalassemia, which is crucial in family health planning. This program not only provides valuable information but also introduces USM representatives to Indonesia’s thalassemia screening approach, fostering a shared understanding of national screening practices.
“We hope to share insights into how Indonesia conducts thalassemia screenings, especially at the primary healthcare level. This is also a chance for both countries to exchange knowledge and reinforce thalassemia education programs,” Dr. Hernaningsih added.
The partnership also sheds light on academic differences between the two institutions. “At UNAIR, Clinical Pathology is a comprehensive field that includes Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Immunology, and Transfusion Medicine under one program. By contrast, at USM, each area is studied in-depth as distinct specializations,” Dr. Hernaningsih explained.
Dr. Hernaningsih expressed confidence that this international outreach effort will benefit both universities, particularly in enhancing education quality and social contributions. “We hope participants from the community will gain a clear understanding of thalassemia screening’s importance and share their knowledge with others,” she added.
She concluded by expressing optimism that the UNAIR-USM collaboration will continue in the coming years. With a strong international alliance, both universities are committed to making a positive impact on public health in Indonesia and Malaysia. “God willing, if we have another opportunity in the future, we look forward to conducting similar programs,” Dr. Hernaningsih concluded.
Author: Anggun Latifatunisa
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
