SEMARANG – IKA Medika (Alumni Association of Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University) and Diponegoro National Hospital in collaboration with a number of parties including SmileTrain Foundation, Association of Indonesian Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (PERAPI), Association of Ophthalmologists (PERDAMI) of Central Java Branch, and Diponegoro Clinic are commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University (UNDIP) by holding a social service. Social service activities which include cleft lip surgery, cataract surgery, and mass circumcision were carried out at the Lobby of Diponegoro National Hospital UNDIP Tembalang, Semarang City, on Saturday (11/9/2021).
Chair of Committee for the 60th Anniversary of Faculty of Medicine Undip, dr. Yan Wisnu Prajoko, M.Kes., Sp.B (K) Onk; said that in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic, all parties must work together. “We cannot walk alone, so we must help each other. This event is a tangible manifestation of collaboration between Faculty of Medicine Undip, alumni, Diponegoro National Hospital and other parties by carrying out social service activities,” said Wisnu Prajoko.
According to him, the purpose of this activity is to reduce blindness rate in Central Java and help the general public who need cleft lip treatment due to financial difficulties. “This activity is also a form of service conducted by Undip Alumni Association of Faculty of Medicine and Diponegoro National Hospital,” he added.
Currently, there are still many people who are experiencing difficulties, especially the Covid-19 outbreak has made the difficulties even more difficult. Therefore, he invites all parties to participate in alleviating and assisting people who are facing health problems. “Our hope is that we can optimize our potential so that we can help those in need.”
Meanwhile, representing the Dean of Faculty of Medicine Undip, the Head of Specialist Department of Faculty of Medicine, dr. Dwi Ngestiningsih, Sp.PD, said that cataract surgery, cleft lip surgery, and mass circumcision were the first social service activities carried out by Faculty of Medicine Undip.
“We hope that these social service activities can be carried out as a continuous activity so that it becomes a form of service for people in need. We also thank to the donors and a number of parties who have collaborated with us,” said Ngestiningsih.
She hoped that all social service activities would run smoothly and could be beneficial for all. In the symbolic inauguration of the social service activities, symbolic assistance was also given to the patients.
Director of Diponegoro National Hospital, Dr. dr. Sutopo Patria Jati, M.M., M.Kes, in his speech said that the implementation of this social services in the context of the 60th Anniversary of Faculty of Medicine Undip is a form of service to the community in need. “In cleft lip surgery the patients are treated using facility at Diponegoro National Hospital where there are five rooms prepared. Diponegoro National Hospital is one of Undip’s icons. The performance of Diponegoro National Hospital depends on Undip’s community, if the existing potential is maximized, it will have bigger impact,” he explained.
This activity, according to him, is also a milestone in our history. “This is the first project and then will be continued. Our hope is to become a partner of other institutions to do social services to the community since the strength of Faculty of Medicine Undip is making our partnership more productive. We are from Diponegoro National Hospital will also do better so that we will not lose to hospitals of other universities, which are currently in extraordinary conditions and managing themselves quite well,” said doctor Sutopo.
In this series of activities, it was stated that the patients served in the social service activities were not only from Semarang, but also from Brebes, Blora, and some were even from Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta. “We hope that this activity will be beneficial for patients and their families. We also visit a number of cleft lip surgery patients in Brebes, Blora, and also Kulonprogo which is outside Central Java province,” he said.
Chairman of Association of Ophthalmologists (PERDAMI) of Central Java Branch, Dr. dr.Trilaksana Nugroho, M.Kes,SpM(K)FISCM, said that his party is very happy to be involved in this activity and be one of the contributors.
“Almost two years, this pandemic made our work to a halt, so cataract surgery was very limited. For this mass surgery is postponed for some time, so that cataract surgery services for people in need were also off,” said Trilaksana Nugroho.
From the recorded study, it was stated that in 2016 there was a 100 percent increase in the number of blind people in Indonesia compared to 1996. In 1996, from a health survey there were 1.5 percent of the Indonesian population who were blind. Meanwhile, in 2016, 3 percent of people over 50 years of age were blind. “While cataracts cases are 50 percent from the three studies, so you can imagine many cases of cataracts. On the one hand, cataracts can be rehabilitated and cured, so we hope that we will contribute together with Undip. We want to contribute and carry out this activity continuously.”
One of Agnes Topan’s patients claimed to be very happy, participating in social service activities at Diponegoro National Hospital. “I am grateful and I hope that this social service activities will be carried out continuously because there are still many people who have cleft lips that have not the opportunity to get surgery. We are really grateful,” he said. (PR team)
Translated by: Titis (Public Relations)
