UNAIR NEWS – Two medical students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) proudly represented Indonesia at the 25th Congress of the Asian Society for Vascular Surgery and the 19th Asian Venous Forum 2024. The prestigious event took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from Tuesday, December 3, to Friday, December 6, 2024. Among the five Indonesian delegates were UNAIR students: Aanisah Diyaa Mustika Fitri and Willandra Fitriyanri Ghaniyya.
Their participation was inspired by a community health initiative in Natuna, Riau Islands, where they conducted health screenings for the local population. The screenings revealed a high prevalence of vascular diseases, which became the foundation of their research.
“We found that many people in Natuna suffer from hypertension, high cholesterol, and uric acid-related conditions,” Fitri explained.
Their study focused on evaluating how seafood consumption impacts vascular health among Natuna residents. “We analyzed the effects of seafood consumption on vascular health and discovered a correlation between excessive seafood intake and vascular issues. Additionally, we identified treatment gaps in diagnosing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which often progresses to more severe conditions such as ischemia,” she elaborated.
Presenting at congress
At the congress, Ghaniyya presented her research titled Unveiling Hidden Risks: How Daily Seafood Consumption Affects Vascular Health in Indonesia’s Remote Natuna Island. Fitri presented her study, Progression of Peripheral Artery Disease to Limb Ischemia: Key Risk Factors, Treatment Gaps, and Strategies to Prevent Amputation.
Reflecting on the experience, Ghaniyya shared, “We were the only undergraduate participants among experienced professionals, which made the opportunity both challenging and enriching. The feedback from the panelists was overwhelmingly positive. To our knowledge, no previous studies have explored the link between seafood consumption and vascular health in Natuna, making our work a first in this area. The congress also allowed us to connect with leading physicians and expand our professional networks.”
Commitment to community service
In addition to their research, Fitri and Ghaniyya co-founded Bakti Ujung Utara, a community service initiative dedicated to outreach in remote areas of Indonesia, including Natuna. Their humanitarian mission encompasses health, education, environmental, and economic development programs in collaboration with the Natuna regional government. “We aim to build a sustainable community service initiative in remote areas like Natuna. Our focus goes beyond healthcare to address broader issues like education and environmental conservation,” said Ghaniyya.
Looking ahead, the duo aspires to expand their research and community service activities to a broader scope. They plan to conduct annual community outreach programs and pursue more specialized research in the coming years.
Author: Syaharani Putri Aisyah
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
