Previously controlled tropical infectious diseases are resurging, with a rising trend in cases. Climate change has further accelerated the spread of vector-borne diseases.
As a tropical country with a large population, Indonesia is leading the way in tackling diseases closely linked to environmental and social factors.
Despite their widespread impact, tropical diseases often do not receive the attention they deserve. Limited investment in research, restricted access to vaccines and medications, and social stigma against patients are some of the factors preventing this issue from becoming a top global priority.
“This is why collective efforts are needed to raise awareness and find more effective solutions,” said the Director of the Center for Tropical Medicine at Universitas Gadjah Mada (PKT UGM), Citra Indriani, MD, in a statement to reporters on Wednesday (Feb. 12).
The physician highlighted that several tropical diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV, leptospirosis, and neglected tropical diseases, remain major challenges for Indonesia and other tropical countries in controlling their spread.
The situation is further exacerbated by increasing antibiotic resistance, limited access to treatment and vaccination, and the impact of climate change on the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
“These factors make tropical disease control a critical issue,” she explained.
To draw greater attention from governments, international organizations, academics, and practitioners to tropical disease control, PKT UGM plans to hold the Gadjah Mada International Conference on Tropical Medicine (GAMA-ICTM) 2025.
The conference, scheduled for Feb. 13–15, 2025, will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions and strengthen health system resilience against tropical diseases.
Theming Strengthening Health System Resilience for Tropical Disease Control in a Rapidly Changing World, the gathering will be a key platform for sharing experiences and insights to enhance responses to evolving tropical diseases.
The conference will feature discussions led by experts in their respective fields and will be held at the Auditorium of UGM’s Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM).
Symposium sessions will cover the latest breakthroughs in malaria control, vaccination strategies to bolster health system resilience, and a One Health approach to addressing antibiotic resistance.
Additionally, the conference will explore disparities in access to medical innovations in developing countries and digital technology solutions for expanding healthcare services.
“Finally, the role of science and multi-stakeholder involvement in dengue control will be a major focus, particularly on dengue vaccine implementation and Wolbachia technology in Indonesia,” she added.
In addition to symposium sessions, the conference will feature research presentations and field experience sharing. The organizing committee has received over 80 research abstracts and best practice reports, which will be presented orally and in poster format.
Abstracts have been submitted by Indonesian researchers and international scholars. A pre-conference workshop will also be held, covering key topics: Wolbachia for Sustainable Dengue Control and Modeling Infectious Disease Transmission for Outbreak Threat Mitigation.
According to Indriani, this international conference is also an opportunity for PKT UGM to showcase its research findings.
One of the highlights will be an exhibition titled Wolbachia Experience, where conference participants can learn about the long-term research behind the Wolbachia technology, which Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is now implementing in five cities to combat dengue fever.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson