Headline:
 Time is Brain: Unpad Study Urges Wider Stroke Treatment Access in Indonesia

Every year, millions suffer strokes, with Indonesia facing one of the highest burdens in Asia. A new study by Dr. Lisda Amalia and Putri Qonitah from Universitas Padjadjaran analyzed hyperacute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung.

The research showed that most patients were elderly and arrived within the critical 4.5-hour window. With timely treatment, 91% avoided complications, and half recovered well—proof that intravenous thrombolysis works in Indonesia.

But there’s a catch: only a handful of hospitals provide this therapy. Many patients still miss their window because of limited awareness, delays in referrals, or lack of infrastructure. The result is avoidable disability and death.

The call is clear: expand thrombolysis services, train health workers to recognize stroke signs, and educate the public that sudden weakness, slurred speech, or facial drooping are medical emergencies.

This effort supports SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure), pushing Indonesia closer to equitable healthcare. By showcasing local success, Unpad strengthens its place in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, proving research can save lives when translated into action.

Headline:
 Saving a Child from a Silent Disease: Unpad Doctors Trace Rare Cancer-Like Disorder

In Bandung, a 17-month-old girl was fighting for her life. Breathing difficulties, fever, swollen belly, and painful rashes puzzled doctors until a team at Universitas Padjadjaran stepped in. Led by Dr. Harry Galuh Nugraha and colleagues from radiology, pediatrics, and pathology, the team unraveled the mystery: multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a rare disease that mimics cancer.

Through a series of radiological tests—X-rays, CT scans, MRI—the doctors discovered the disease had spread to the child’s bones, lungs, liver, and spleen. Without these imaging breakthroughs, she would have been misdiagnosed, as had happened before with tuberculosis.

While the prognosis is poor for such widespread cases, early detection is the best chance for survival. The case highlights the urgent need for awareness among parents and health workers: persistent fevers, rashes, and growth failure in children should never be ignored.

For families, this story is both a warning and a message of hope. Imaging, when available and accurately interpreted, can be the difference between life and death.

Unpad’s work demonstrates a commitment to SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring even rare diseases in low-resource settings are given global attention.

Headline:
 Unpad Radiologists Decode Rare, Dangerous Hernia with Precision Imaging

When stomach and other abdominal organs slip dangerously into the chest cavity, patients face life-threatening complications. This rare condition—Type IV hiatal hernia—was the subject of a recent study by Dr. Harry Galuh Nugraha from Universitas Padjadjaran’s Department of Radiology.

The case highlighted how standard symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness can easily be misdiagnosed. Using advanced imaging—X-ray, CT scan, and MRI—Unpad radiologists revealed the full extent of organ displacement, enabling the correct diagnosis and timely treatment.

The analysis underscores a critical message: without precise imaging, patients risk being treated for the wrong disease, losing valuable time. In countries with limited diagnostic access, this can mean preventable deaths.

For health systems, investing in radiology capacity and training is essential. Early and accurate diagnosis reduces surgical risks, shortens recovery time, and saves lives. “The machine may capture the image, but it is expertise that saves the patient,” says Dr. Nugraha.

This case contributes to SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by training future doctors in advanced diagnostics, strengthening Indonesia’s role as a center of medical excellence.

Headline:
 Bitter Leaf, Sweet Promise: Traditional Plant Shows Power Against Brain Cancer in Unpad Study

Glioblastoma, one of the deadliest brain cancers, leaves patients and families with limited hope. But scientists at Universitas Padjadjaran, led by Dr. Fathul Huda from the Faculty of Medicine, are turning to a surprising ally: Vernonia amygdalina, known locally as daun Afrika or bitter leaf.

In laboratory tests, extracts of this plant were applied to glioblastoma cells. The results were striking—the compounds slowed cancer cell growth and triggered apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This echoes traditional uses of the plant in African medicine but grounds it in modern science.

Why does this matter? Glioblastoma is aggressive and resistant to most therapies. Natural, plant-based compounds like those from bitter leaf could complement existing treatments, offering patients safer, more affordable options.

For the public, the study reminds us that biodiversity holds untapped answers to urgent health problems. “Our local and global plants may carry the future of medicine,” Dr. Huda explains. Supporting sustainable cultivation ensures not just health benefits but also environmental resilience.

The discovery contributes to SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by valuing indigenous plants. Through this work, Unpad showcases Indonesia’s rich ecosystems as sources of solutions for global health crises.

In Bandung, where concerns about reproductive health are rising, researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran have uncovered an important link between vitamin D and male fertility. Dr. Andri Rezano and his team from the Faculty of Medicine set out to explore whether a common nutrient deficiency could quietly affect the dreams of families hoping for children.

The story begins in the laboratory, where sperm cells exposed to vitamin D showed less DNA damage—a factor strongly associated with infertility. DNA fragmentation in sperm is like a broken code, preventing healthy conception and leading to higher risks of miscarriage. By testing supplementation in vitro, the Unpad team demonstrated that vitamin D could help maintain genetic integrity.

This finding matters deeply for Indonesia, where vitamin D deficiency is prevalent due to lifestyle and environmental factors. “Something as simple as ensuring enough vitamin D may improve fertility outcomes,” the researchers note, pointing to the broader public health benefits of prevention through nutrition.

For families, the message is practical: sunlight, balanced diets, or supplementation could support reproductive health and reduce the burden of infertility treatments. On a larger scale, this aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), promoting healthier generations.

Universitas Padjadjaran’s research positions Indonesia as a global contributor to accessible fertility science, reinforcing its role in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings through community-focused innovation.