UNAIR NEWS – The national and global healthcare quality is closely affected by the education and research. Therefore, excellent laboratories and human resources are needed to handle dangerous micro-organisms and viruses swiftly.

Regarding the matter, two microbiology laboratories, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universitas Airlangga had a self-assessment by the members of The Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN). The self-assessment is held for two days, April 20 and 21,2017.

A member of INDOHUN visited the two laboratories of UNAIR, Prof. Dr. drh. Wayan Tunas Artama, said that the visit was made to verify the documents sent by UNAIR to INDOHUN.

“As UNAIR has sent the documents, we are here to see the laboratories are meeting UNAIR descriptions,” said Wayan.

According to the expert of tropical disease, there are only 12 laboratories meeting the standards been visited by INDOHUN. All of them are in seven universities. Two of them are in UNAIR.

UNAIR with six other universities are the members of INDOHUN. Some of the other universities are Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Padjajaran, Universitas Hasanuddin, dan Universitas Gadjah Mada.

“After this visitation, we will know which one needs improvement. Then we will hold a workshop to disseminate it and later we can fill the gap. After that, we will train personnel responsible to the management, laboratories, lab technicians so we can meet the international standards,” he added.

The aspects of the laboratories which have met the standards are biosecurity, operational management, equipments and human resources.

Hopefully, from the assessment, the laboratories can collaborate with state laboratories to study microorganisms causing an epidemic.

The professor of Microbiology FK UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Ni Made Mertaniasih, Sp.MK (K), said that UNAIR laboratories are already qualified for researches. They are also expected to increase the research collaborations and improve the health quality from the extended network.

Global Health

As we all know, there are great challenges on global health. In a short period of time, dangerous microorganisms can easily spread due to over-population, climate change, food insecurity and transportation.

According to Wayan, contributions of university laboratories are needed to support the government in protecting the community from Zika, Anthrax, Avian flu and Tuberculosis. The universities have great roles as the researchers from the academic community.

“When an outbreak happens, what we need is an early diagnosis. It is very important. When we are well-prepared and well informed, diseases won’t spread easily,” said Wayan.

Furthermore, there are faculties requesting to be visited by INDOHUN members, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Public Health.

Author: Defrina Sukma S