Have you ever witnessed or heard of patients undergoing treatment several times but not yet recovered? Or those who’ve been on medication for years with no improvement despite changing doctors?
These scenarios aren’t about incurable diseases but rather the body’s resistance to certain medications. To pinpoint this, genomic or molecular examinations are crucial to bolster diagnostic capabilities and assess disease risks.
This was underscored by Professor Yodi Mahendradhata, MD, the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, during the introduction of the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) themed “Precision Healthcare: Past, Present, Future” on Friday (Mar. 1).
Dean Mahendradhata stressed that his faculty is spearheading precision medicine policies with robust backing from healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, and well-informed communities. The government kick-started the initiative in 2022 through the Indonesian Precision Medicine Initiative under the Biomedical and Genome Science Initiative (BGSi).
According to Dean Mahendradhata, with its cultural and geographical diversity, Indonesia faces unique challenges in embracing and implementing precision medicine. Apart from accessibility hurdles, efforts to bolster the capacity of healthcare professionals in promoting precision medicine are imperative.
“This doesn’t imply we’re lagging. As a developing nation, Indonesia is committed to aligning with global trends in precision medicine,” he emphasized.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of genomic and molecular technologies. Through this crisis, we’ve learned about the pivotal role of genomic surveillance in identifying and managing diseases, alongside the influence of social determinants on health.
Precision medicine isn’t merely a fleeting trend but a necessity. Given that contemporary healthcare services hinge not only on evidence-based medicine but also on genomic evidence.
“It’s not just about enhancing health status but also providing superior and affordable services to the entire community,” he added.
Addressing queries about the readiness of community health centers to adopt precision medicine or genomic treatment, internal medicine specialist Dr. Yanri Wijayanti Subronto, MD, highlighted that primary healthcare workers already conduct genomic treatment through rapid molecular testing tools for TB detection, albeit not for other diseases.
“Many community health centers already have rapid molecular tests. This program can also quantify the virus in HIV-infected patients. Genomic treatment isn’t entirely novel; the focus now is on making molecular testing accessible and free for the public,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, Professor Gunadi, MD, a genomic treatment researcher and chair of the Annual Scientific Meeting for the 78th anniversary of the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, stressed that the development of precision medicine must be complemented by bioinformatics, biobanks, and registries, which are swiftly evolving in Indonesia.
Each step in developing precision medicine aims to bolster the government’s endeavors to enhance public health.
Professor Gunadi also revealed that this year’s ASM seeks to engage all stakeholders in the healthcare sector in advancing precision medicine in the country. ASM 2024 is slated for Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024, in a hybrid format, combining face-to-face sessions at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing.
Author: Gusti Grehenson