Global Health: Elective Program for International Students

Global health is the study and practice of improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. It addresses a wide range of issues, including the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes. For health workers, having a strong understanding of global health is crucial, as it allows them to approach health challenges with a broader perspective and cultural sensitivity. It enables them to work effectively across different countries and communities, respond to global outbreaks, and contribute to sustainable health systems. Health workers with global health expertise are better equipped to address health disparities, adapt to diverse health care environments, and foster collaboration among countries, international organizations, and local communities. This knowledge is essential for addressing health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income regions where resources are limited, and for promoting a healthier, more equitable world.

Indonesia, as an archipelagic country with a massive population, economic disparity and a variety of major health problems, provides abundant opportunities for students in health to experience global health first-hand. The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, recognizes the importance of global health and would like to extend an invitation to health students from all over the world to come to Indonesia by opening up our Global Health Elective Program for International Students.

This program will run for four weeks. Students will get to choose to focus on one of two major topics that we offer:

• Health Challenges in Indonesia: From Infectious Diseases to Child and Maternal Health
• Diabetes and its Complications – Jakarta Project

Departments and Institutions Involved

Indonesia’s healthcare system is designed to be tiered, where smaller problems are handled by local primary healthcare centers while more advanced diseases are referred to higher institutions. To ensure sufficient health effort to all members of the community, the Indonesian healthcare system also manages by working together with members of the community called health cadres and creates programs through local primary healthcare centers for disease prevention and health promotion. This elective program curated for international health students is designed to be comprehensive enough to allow students exposure to different parts of the Indonesian healthcare system. We have built a working relationship with a variety of institutions that are ready to assist in the students’ journey.

Health Challenges in Indonesia: From Infectious Diseases to Child and Maternal Health

Indonesia’s tropical climate significantly influences the epidemiology of infectious diseases, facilitating the spread of various pathogens. Diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and tuberculosis are prevalent, posing substantial health risks. Effective surveillance, prevention strategies, and healthcare access are crucial in managing these diseases and mitigating their public health impact in Indonesia. On the other hand, maternal and child health remain critical issues in Indonesia, with high maternal mortality rates indicating ongoing healthcare delivery challenges. Recent data show that Indonesia faces elevated maternal mortality rates compared to global benchmarks, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve health outcomes. Expanding access to prenatal care, promoting safe delivery practices, and enhancing maternal healthcare services are essential steps towards addressing these disparities. WHO’s initiatives in improving maternal and newborn health are crucial in supporting these efforts.

Diabetes and its Complications – Jakarta Project

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic-progressive degenerative disease due to insulin resistance or deficiency with hyperglycemia as the main clinical manifestation. The prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia is increasing from 5,7% in 2007 to 11,7% in 2023. Chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance conditions in T2D patients are associated with the occurrence of chronic complications, both macro- and microvascular complications. Macrovascular complications include coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease, whereas microvascular complications consist of diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy. These complications could significantly affect health and quality of life in T2D patients, as well as causes high social and economic burdens. Students will focus in performing a project studying these complications based on data from subjects previously recruited in the Bogor Non-communicable Disease (NCD) Risk Factors Cohort Study.

How to enroll?

*the major topics above are what we have available, please feel free to contact us if there is a different topic that you are interested in pursuing.