UNAIR NEWS – On Monday, November 29, 2021, Geliat Airlangga and UNICEF conducted virtual dissemination and advocacy related to the Triple Elimination (TE) program. The event also involved several cities/regencies such as Surabaya, Jember, Banyuwangi, Malang, and a new partner from Bojonegoro. In addition, Geliat Airlangga also invited the Head of the East Java Health Service and several representatives from WHO, the Indonesian Society of Internal Medicine (PAPDI), and other professional organizations.

TE program is for diseases that affect adults and can also infect children. Therefore, in her speech, Dr. Santi Martini, dr., M.Kes, as the Dean of the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) agreed that children’s health should be prioritized. “Of course, this activity will support the Indonesian government to prepare superior human resources for the 2045 golden generation. Therefore, from now on, we must contribute to this activity,” she explained.

Evaluation of Triple Elimination Research Results

FKM UNAIR through Geliat Airlangga was mandated to cooperate with UNICEF in conducting research related to TE. Dr. Rachmat Hargono dr., M.S., M.PH, as a TE researcher and lecturer, admitted that he has been doing this research for a long time. One of the TE programs is the TE training for the Independent Practice of Midwives (PMB), which was carried out in various cities and districts in East Java in 2018-2019.

“We realize that we have to provide knowledge to anyone involved in TE. Thus, later this program can run smoothly, effectively, and efficiently,” explained Dr. Rachmat.

Dr. Rachmat said that after the TE program, the data showed that the average visit of pregnant women to PMB became 25 to 26 every month. On average, there were 164 to 165 pregnant women who had undergone TE examinations. In addition, the researchers found quite surprising data that three pregnant women in one PMB were positive for HIV. In addition, seven mothers were infected with syphilis in one PMB.

Apart from HIV and syphilis, other diseases such as hepatitis B also infected 56 thousand pregnant women in 13 PMB. However, only three pregnant women with HIV had been referred for ARVs. Meanwhile, only three children whose mothers were infected with HIV in one PMB received an EID referral.

Dr. Rachmat also received a report that the research team has found many obstacles in implementing the TE program during the service. One of the obstacles is Communication, Information, and Education (KIE) of patients to carry out laboratory checks on pregnant women.

“The midwives have limited media to perform IEC on patients. In addition, the service hours of the Community Health Centers (Puskesmas) coincide with the mothers’ working hours. As a result, many of the patients have difficulty asking for permission to do an examination at the Puskesmas,” he said.

“Additionally, it is difficult to get test kits. Therefore, the diagnosis is still quite difficult because the examination tools have not been evenly distributed to the PMB,” he added.

Dr. Rachmat also conveyed the PMB’s desire to have the complete facilities and infrastructure to support the TE program. He said that one of the PMBs needs a mini-lab with its tools and reagents. In addition, they also need promotional media such as posters, pamphlets, and others related to the TE program.

“Hopefully, the examination can be carried out independently by the midwife. Thus, in the future, there is no need to refer to the Puskesmas or to other places,” he explained.

In October 2021, Geliat Airlangga conducted hybrid training related to TE for three days. The event invited PMB who had not attended the previous training from Surabaya, Jember Regency, and Banyuwangi Regency.

“Hopefully, these PMBs will be the spearheads to expand the reach of the TE program. We also see that the initial level is only for identification. The next one will go through a higher level. Therefore, we invite various professional organizations to assist in implementing this TE program,” he concluded. (*)

Author: Muhammad Ichwan Firmansyah

Editor : Feri Fenoria (YA/AP)