19 August 2024
Syafrijal S.Kom
SERDANG BEDAGAI, Several areas in Indonesia are still endemic to malaria. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health on the Indonesian Information Portal, malaria cases in Indonesia have reached 418,546, with North Sumatra included in one of the distribution areas.
The latest update from the North Sumatra Provincial Statistics Agency reported that 206 suspected malaria cases were in Serdang Bedagai Regency.
This fact inspired the Mangrove Science and Technology Excellence Center (PUI) as USU's flagship project to support the government's efforts to target a Malaria-Free Indonesia by 2030.
Facilitated by the USU Community Service Institute (LPPM), the USU Mangrove PUI on Saturday, July 13, 2024, conducted educational activities and health checks in Bagan Kuala Village, Tanjung Beringin District, Serdang Bedagai Regency as a real action to eliminate malaria in the mangrove area.
The activity was coordinated by Prof. Dr. dr. Kiking Ritarwan, M.K.T., Sp.S(K) consists of Dr. dr. Oke Rina Ramayani Sp.A(K), dr. Nurfida Khairina Arrasyid, M.Kes., dr. Yunilda Andriyani M.KT, Sp.ParK, Dr. Ir. OK Hasnanda Syahputra, M.P., Novita Anggraini, S.Hut., M.Sc. and Dian Syaputra as well as Prof. M. Basyuni, S.Hut, M.Si, Ph.D as the Chairperson of PUI Mangrove USU.
The people of Bagan Kuala Village seemed very enthusiastic about participating in this activity and expressed their gratitude through Mr. Safril as the Village Head in his speech.
According to Prof. Kiking, Sp.S(K), cerebral malaria, acidosis, severe anemia, acute kidney failure are complications of malaria as adverse effects that can end in death.
In addition, Dr. Oke Rina, Sp.A(K) also stated that children who wet the bed during the day (urinary disorders) can occur due to malaria.
Furthermore, dr. Nurfida Arrasyid, M.Kes. said that conventional malaria diagnosis through peripheral blood examination is still the gold standard as confirmed by dr. Yunilda, Sp.ParK.
A group of UNIMED students who are undergoing KKN in the village also played a role in this community service as a form of collaboration as requested by Kampus Merdeka.
Four alumni doctors from the USU Medical Faculty who had just completed their studies also helped as a form of their love for their alma mater. Later, if a positive result of Plasmodium sp. is found from the peripheral blood examination, it will be submitted to the local Health Office for appropriate follow-up.
Source: https://www.waspada.id/sumut/cegah-malaria-di-kawasan-mangrove-melaui-edukasi-dan-pemeriksaan-kesehatan-di-bagan-kuala/
