In a critical step toward improving infectious disease control, researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) have uncovered key factors that prevent private doctors in Indonesia from following national guidelines in treating tuberculosis (TB)—a disease that still claims over a million lives globally each year.

The study was led by Dr. Bony Wiem Lestari from the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, and Unpad’s Research Center for Care and Control of Infectious Disease. Their findings were recently published in the internationally recognized BMJ Global Health Journal.

Addressing a Silent Crisis in TB Management

Indonesia is one of the world’s highest TB burden countries, and over 60% of patients first seek care from private doctors. But when those practitioners lack diagnostic tools, training, or clear coordination with public health services, it can lead to delayed diagnosis, mistreatment, and continued transmission of TB—including its drug-resistant strains.

To explore this challenge, the Unpad team conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with 24 private practitioners and 6 key stakeholders in Bandung, West Java. They found that unclear guidelines, complex referral systems, lack of diagnostic access, and limited incentives all contribute to poor adherence to standard TB protocols.

“We Can’t Fix What We Don’t Understand”

“This study gives voice to the challenges that many private doctors face on the ground,” said Dr. Lestari. “By listening to them, we can start designing practical reforms—like clearer policies, better training, and stronger public-private partnerships—that improve care for everyone.”

The researchers emphasized that collaboration—not blame—is key to improving TB outcomes. Strengthening links between private providers and the national TB program could ensure patients are diagnosed faster, treated correctly, and monitored effectively, all while improving trust in the system.

From Evidence to Impact

The findings of this study have important implications not only for Indonesia, but also for other countries with mixed public-private health systems. Solutions like harmonizing TB guidelines, improving referral infrastructure, and empowering private doctors through supportive policies can directly lead to better patient outcomes.

By promoting transparency, integration, and local ownership of health policy, the research also supports broader goals such as antimicrobial resistance prevention, data accuracy, and sustainable healthcare financing.

Strengthening Global Goals from West Java

This work contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, by supporting stronger TB control strategies. It also aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through its emphasis on multi-sectoral collaboration.

By addressing real-world systemic barriers and offering evidence-based solutions, Universitas Padjadjaran once again reinforces its role as a regional leader in public health research—and strengthens its impact contribution to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

The full article is available in BMJ Global Health: https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/12/e015261

At just 12 years old, a child in Indonesia was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare type of cancer — Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP). This soft-tissue tumor is slow-growing but can be aggressive if not detected early.

Dr. Eva Krishna Sutedja from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran documented the case to help clinicians worldwide recognize the signs and optimize treatment. The tumor appeared as a firm, skin-colored mass on the child’s back, gradually enlarging over months. Its rarity in pediatric cases makes diagnosis challenging, often leading to delays.

Detailed pathological analysis confirmed the DFSP diagnosis, and surgical removal was performed to prevent spread. From an analytical standpoint, this case underscores the importance of awareness among healthcare providers — unusual skin growths in children should not be overlooked or dismissed as benign without thorough examination.

By sharing this case, the team aims to improve early detection rates and treatment success, ultimately reducing the physical and emotional toll on young patients and their families.

The work contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, showing how rare disease research can inform better clinical practices. It also enhances Universitas Padjadjaran’s reputation for contributing valuable global medical knowledge, reinforcing its position in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Natural remedies have long been part of Indonesia’s health traditions, but modern science is now confirming their potential. Dr. Enny Rohmawaty from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Cymbopogon nardus — commonly known as citronella.

In laboratory studies using 3T3-L1 cells, ethanol extracts from the plant demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammatory markers and neutralize harmful free radicals. These findings are significant because oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are linked to a wide range of diseases, from diabetes to cardiovascular disorders.

From an analytical perspective, the study’s results suggest citronella compounds act on multiple cellular pathways, offering a dual benefit: preventing cell damage and calming inflammation. This could lead to the development of affordable, plant-based therapies that align with Indonesia’s biodiversity and reduce reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.

Such research supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, proving that sustainable health solutions can come from local resources. Universitas Padjadjaran’s commitment to bridging traditional knowledge and modern science strengthens its role as a global innovator in the THE Impact Rankings.

West Java, Indonesia — A clinical study by researchers at Universitas Padjadjaran has shown that nutritional status and immune cell activity within tumors play a crucial role in determining how well patients respond to chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.

The research, led by dr. Kiki Lukman, Sp.PA(K)., Ph.D. from the Department of Pathology Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, analyzed data from 59 colorectal cancer patients at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung. The team assessed the patients’ body mass index (BMI) and the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)—a type of immune cell found in and around tumors.

The findings revealed that patients who were undernourished or had a low BMI were significantly less responsive to chemotherapy. Meanwhile, those with higher TILs—which signal a stronger immune response—tended to have better outcomes.

“This shows us that cancer treatment doesn’t only depend on drugs—it also depends on the body’s condition and immune readiness,” said Dr. Lukman. “Nutritional support and immune monitoring should be integrated into cancer care from the start.”

The study underscores the need for personalized cancer treatment, especially in Indonesia where late-stage diagnoses and limited resources are common. By identifying early risk factors like malnutrition and weak immune activity, doctors can adjust treatment plans to improve survival rates.

The research promotes health equity and clinical resilience by encouraging simple but impactful interventions like nutrition screening and immune profiling, which are cost-effective and scalable across public hospitals.

This work supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly in strengthening cancer care and treatment outcomes. It also highlights Unpad’s commitment to integrated, human-centered research, reinforcing the university’s contribution to the THE Impact Rankings as a pioneer in contextualized healthcare innovation.

Unpad Doctors Expose Hidden Crisis: Sexual Abuse Fuels HIV and Syphilis Risk Among Indonesian Teens

A shocking case from Bandung reveals the silent epidemic facing Indonesian adolescents: sexual abuse leading to life-threatening infections like HIV and syphilis. Researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran’s Faculty of Medicine, led by Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat and colleagues at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, documented the case of a 15-year-old boy who contracted both infections after repeated forced sexual encounters. The case not only highlights a public health emergency but also sheds light on the psychological trauma often left untreated in survivors.

Doctors confirmed that the boy, who identified as bisexual, developed secondary syphilis and HIV after three episodes of sexual abuse by an older acquaintance. He was treated with antiretroviral therapy for HIV and penicillin for syphilis, while also referred for psychiatric care due to moderate depression and self-harming behaviors. “This case underscores how sexual abuse directly translates into lifelong medical and mental health burdens,” explained Dr. Achdiat.

The case study highlights urgent gaps in adolescent protection and sexual health awareness. It calls for stronger education on safe practices, wider availability of condoms, and more effective legal protections for vulnerable youth. The World Health Organization has already warned of a global decline in condom use among teenagers, further heightening the risks. For Indonesia, where stigma still prevents open discussions of sexuality, the findings emphasize the need for confidential counseling and adolescent-friendly health services.

By linking sexual violence, stigma, and health outcomes, this research contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Universitas Padjadjaran demonstrates global leadership by uncovering taboo yet urgent health challenges. Cases like this remind us that achieving healthier societies requires not just medicine, but protection, justice, and compassion.