Strengthening Public Health Capacities through International Collaboration: Masters Program in Community Health Sciences Leads Clinical Trial on PCV Vaccine at Local Health Centers

Denpasar, 7-9 November 2023

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Master's Program in Community Health Sciences (S2 IKM) is enhancing the capabilities of local health centers through a clinical trial focused on the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV). Led by Dr. I Gusti Ayu Trisna Windiani, Sp.A (K), a distinguished faculty member specializing in child and community health, the research involves several S2 IKM alumni, including Nitya Nijyoti and Dwi, as well as Lecturer of Master of PH (Dr. Anak Agung Sagung Sawitri, MPH) and hospital-based educators from Prof Ngoerah Educational Hospital (Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Sugitha Adnyana, Sp.A (K)). Three primary health centers, namely Puskesmas Denpasar Selatan I, Puskesmas II, and Puskesmas III Denpasar Utara, actively participate in the research, with doctors and midwives from the health centers involved in the study.

The primary focus of the research is on infants aged 6-8 weeks, who are eligible to receive either the experimental PCV vaccine or the standard PCV vaccine as part of the routine program. Rigorous preparations, including collaborative efforts with Prodia and sponsors, ensure the quality of the study implementation while safeguarding the safety and comfort of research subjects. The site initiation visit, coupled with simulation activities and enrollment visits, is meticulously conducted by the entire team.

The research collaboration, formally endorsed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, and Prodia Indonesia as an extension of their commitment, signifies a significant initiative by the Master's Program to support the internationalization process of the Faculty of Medicine and Udayana University, as outlined in its vision and mission. On a parallel note, the involvement of local health centers in internationally standardized research activities indirectly enhances the capabilities of S2 IKM faculty, alumni, and health center staff in meeting global clinical trial standards. Moreover, this endeavor exemplifies the Faculty of Medicine's commitment to community service by assisting in the enhancement of human resources and infrastructure necessary for research activities in local health centers. 

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