FK-KMK UGM. During the pandemic era, leprosy cases have shown a relatively stagnant trend. However, this does not imply the absence of leprosy in Indonesia but rather indicates that government efforts have been primarily focused on handling COVID-19. This was conveyed by Dr. Regina Tiolina Sidjabat, M.Epid., Head of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Task Force at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, during a talk show titled “Tropmed Talk on Stage: How is Leprosy Post-Pandemic?”
The event took place at the Tahir Foundation Auditorium on Wednesday (15/5) and was attended by around 300 participants in a hybrid format. This activity is part of the pre-event series for the 2nd Gadjah Mada International Conference on Tropical Medicine (GAMA-ICTM) 2024, which will be held by the Center for Tropical Medicine (PKT) Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University (FK-KMK UGM) in October.
“Identifying leprosy patients before they develop disabilities is a very important step,” explained dr. Regina.
Leprosy is an infectious and contagious disease caused by the bacterium mycobacterium leprae. Ironically, leprosy can lead to disability, although it can be completely cured with early diagnosis.
According to Hana Krismawati, M.Sc., a Policy Analyst at the Health Strategy and System Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, research is needed in handling leprosy. However, limited funding poses a challenge, necessitating the integration of research with other diseases.
Moreover, efforts to eliminate stigma are also crucial in managing leprosy, involving all stakeholders, people who have experienced leprosy (OYPMK), community leaders, and religious figures.
“Admitting to having leprosy is tough,” stated Agus Wijayanto, Executive Director of NLR Indonesia, as a speaker who initiated the discussion with Ahmad Idris Afandi, a companion from Indramayu, and Dr. Himawan Estu Bagijo, SH, MH, a Senior Researcher at the East Java Provincial Research and Development Agency.
“To eliminate stigma, cross-sectoral advocacy is needed, followed by commitment and seriousness in implementing policies amidst many existing policies that already support stigma elimination,” emphasized Himawan.
Ahmad, an OYPMK, added that many stigma victims are still found in the public, including in Indramayu.
“We go door-to-door to the homes of residents around leprosy patients,” he concluded.
Similarly, PKT UGM is fully committed to leprosy eradication efforts and has been actively involved in drafting the National Action Plan for Leprosy Elimination 2023-2027 since 2023.
This aligns with FK-KMK UGM’s commitment to promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Good Health and Well-being (SDGs 3) and Reducing Inequality (SDGs 10). (Isroq Adi Subakti/Reporter)
