Measles and rubella remain a threat to public health in Indonesia. Infectious diseases caused by viruses can lead to severe complications, including congenital malformations and death.
Given the mortality and morbidity associated with measles and rubella, the Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) has consistently conducted community service activities to improve the standard of living and public health.
In 2024, the community service team resumed its activities in Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul Regencies under the theme of “Efforts to Eliminate Measles-Rubella to Prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).”
The community service program continues the 2013 roadmap for handling Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
These activities will continue until the end of 2025 to eliminate measles-rubella in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) Province, thereby reducing CRS cases.
Professor Elisabeth Siti Herini explained that Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul were selected as the initial locations for measles-rubella elimination.
These areas were chosen due to the high measles-rubella (MR) vaccination coverage in Kulon Progo (98.59%) and Gunungkidul (97.63%), along with the lowest positive measles cases in DIY—22 cases in Kulon Progo and 15 in Gunungkidul.
“With high immunization coverage and low positive cases, we hope that elimination can begin in these two regencies, serving as examples for other regencies/cities in DIY,” said Professor Herini, head of the community service team at FK-KMK UGM, Thursday (Sep. 26).
The community service activities began on Thursday (Jun. 20) with virtual advocacy with the DIY Provincial Health Office, Kulon Progo Health Office, and Gunungkidul Health Office.
This advocacy coordinated with relevant agencies to enhance measles-rubella elimination efforts to prevent CRS in the Kulon Progo and Gunungkidul Regencies.
This was followed by meetings with the DIY Provincial Health Office, Kulon Progo & Gunungkidul Health Offices, and representatives from local public health centers on Monday (Jul. 1) in Kulon Progo and Wednesday (Jul. 3) in Gunungkidul.
During these meetings, presentations were given on community service activities, the measles-rubella disease, MR immunization, and the DIY Provincial Health Office’s strategy for accelerating measles-rubella/CRS elimination.
“These activities aim to provide information to the general public through healthcare workers regarding measles-rubella, including transmission, disease progression, complications, and prevention,” explained Professor Herini.
Three departments within FK-KMK UGM carry out the community service program. In 2024, the Department of Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, and Otorhinolaryngology will focus on measles-rubella elimination efforts to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
In addition to Professor Elisabeth Siti Herini, those involved in the program include Agung Triono, MD, Dr. Kristy Iskandar, Dr. RR. Ratni Indrawanti, Professor Mei Neni Sitaresmi, Albaaza Nuady, MD, Ashadi Prasetyo, MD, Avianti Paramastuti, and Andika Priamas Nugrahanto, MD.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afif