In the quiet halls of Universitas Padjadjaran’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Vita Indriasari and her team set out to investigate one of the most overlooked conditions affecting newborn boys—severe hypospadias. This congenital disorder, where the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis, can cause lifelong health and psychological challenges. Globally, the stakes are high: the condition impacts not only the child’s physical development but also their confidence and quality of life.

Unlike traditional assumptions that place genetics at the center of the problem, Indriasari’s case–control study shed light on non-genetic influences. Factors such as maternal age, environmental exposures, and lifestyle during pregnancy emerged as powerful determinants. The team found that advanced maternal age and maternal smoking were particularly strong contributors to severe hypospadias risk.

What makes this research crucial is its actionable outcome. “Parents can’t control genetic inheritance, but they can reduce environmental risks,” said Dr. Indriasari. With awareness, expectant mothers can avoid harmful exposures, strengthen prenatal care routines, and reduce preventable risks.

This human-centered discovery reframes the narrative: congenital disorders are not always destiny. By equipping families with knowledge, healthcare providers empower communities to intervene early. Preventive action, rooted in simple lifestyle changes, can dramatically alter outcomes for newborns.

The study speaks directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by addressing child health at its earliest stage. It also emphasizes SDG 12: Responsible Consumption by highlighting maternal lifestyle choices. Through work like this, Unpad proves itself not only as a medical innovator but also as a champion of family health worldwide.

The story began in Tasikmalaya with a 59-year-old woman whose legs suddenly gave way beneath her. Within days, weakness crept into her arms, her speech slurred, and her breath grew shallow. Her family rushed her from one hospital to another, until finally, she was referred to Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung—where doctors from Universitas Padjadjaran would uncover a rare and life-threatening combination: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Miller Fisher type, compounded by hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Leading the case was Professor Suwarman, an intensive care expert from Unpad’s Faculty of Medicine. By the time the patient arrived at the ICU, she was already struggling to breathe. GBS, an autoimmune attack on the nerves, had weakened her respiratory muscles. Pneumonia then struck, further blocking her lungs. Without immediate intervention, the odds of survival were slim.

The medical team acted quickly. The patient was intubated, placed on mechanical ventilation, and given a cutting-edge therapy known as Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), which “filters” harmful antibodies from the blood. After 18 tense days in the ICU, her breathing improved and she was successfully weaned off the ventilator—a hard-won victory for both patient and physicians.

This case highlights the delicate balance required in modern critical care. GBS itself is rare, affecting only one to four people per 100,000 annually, but when paired with pneumonia, the mortality risk can soar above 30%. The Unpad team’s coordinated approach demonstrates how comprehensive management—neurological, infectious, and respiratory—can save lives in the most complex cases.

Beyond a single patient, this story is a reminder of the importance of early hospital infection prevention, rapid diagnosis, and access to advanced therapies in Indonesia’s intensive care units. It also shows how Indonesian clinicians are contributing to global knowledge on rare but deadly neurological disorders. By tackling this challenge head-on, Universitas Padjadjaran is advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, while strengthening Indonesia’s voice in the international medical community.

In Bandung, researchers at Universitas Padjadjaran are uncovering the hidden genetic codes behind one of the deadliest cancers in the world: colorectal cancer (CRC). Globally, CRC accounts for nearly two million new cases and close to a million deaths each year. In Indonesia, it is the fourth most common cancer—but with unique patterns that distinguish local patients from those abroad.

A research team led by Dr. Reno Rudiman and colleagues from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Padjadjaran and Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital investigated whether KRAS gene mutations, often seen as cancer’s “engine switches,” were influencing Indonesian patients’ disease profiles. Analyzing 53 tumor samples from patients, the team used advanced DNA sequencing methods to search for genetic changes that could guide treatment.

The findings were striking: more than half (52.8%) of the patients carried KRAS mutations, with specific variants like p.Gly12Asp appearing most frequently. Surprisingly, the mutations were not linked to factors such as age, tumor stage, or family history. This indicates that KRAS is widespread across diverse patient groups in Indonesia, highlighting the urgent need for broader genetic testing as part of standard care.

For patients, this knowledge could mean a turning point. Detecting KRAS mutations early allows doctors to avoid ineffective treatments—like certain targeted drugs that fail in KRAS-positive cancers—and instead tailor more effective strategies. “Personalized treatment based on genetic profiling is no longer optional,” the researchers emphasized. “It’s the path toward saving lives and avoiding wasted resources.”

By mapping Indonesia’s cancer genetics, Universitas Padjadjaran is helping to accelerate progress toward SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. The work underscores Unpad’s leadership in precision medicine for Southeast Asia, boosting both local resilience and global recognition in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Diabetes is one of Indonesia’s fastest-rising health threats, affecting more than 10 million adults. Beyond blood sugar, the disease silently damages organs—including the eyes, where it can lead to blindness.

A research team led by Dr. Raden Maula Rifada from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, studied the link between retinal thickness, ganglion cell layer damage, and reduced blood perfusion in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using advanced optical imaging technology, they examined how diabetes affects not just the eye but also the nerves within it.

The findings revealed that patients with diabetes often showed thinner retinal and ganglion cell layers, alongside reduced blood flow. These changes signal early damage to both vision and brain-related pathways, long before patients notice symptoms. “By looking into the eye, we can actually see the brain’s health and the effects of diabetes on the nervous system,” Dr. Rifada explained.

This research could transform diabetes care. If eye imaging becomes part of routine check-ups, doctors can detect complications earlier and prevent blindness. For patients, it means more than preserving sight—it could also help predict risks for stroke or cognitive decline, conditions closely linked with diabetes-related vascular damage.

By connecting vision care to broader public health, Universitas Padjadjaran contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. The study reinforces Unpad’s leadership in integrating technology and medicine, showing how innovation at a local hospital can generate global insights.

Hallux valgus, more commonly known as a bunion, is a painful foot deformity affecting millions worldwide. In severe cases, surgery is the only option. But traditional surgical methods often risk joint instability and recurrence.

At Universitas Padjadjaran, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raden Andri Primadhi and his team developed a modified medial capsulorrhaphy technique, using a figure-of-eight suture to reinforce the joint capsule after bunion correction surgery. This innovation was tested on patients undergoing corrective procedures at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung.

The results were promising. Patients experienced improved joint stability, reduced pain, and a lower risk of post-surgical complications. The modified method is also practical and cost-effective—important for hospitals in resource-limited settings. “Our goal was to create a technique that combines safety, effectiveness, and affordability,” said Dr. Primadhi.

For Indonesia, where many people live with untreated bunions due to lack of access to specialized care, this breakthrough offers hope. Patients can recover faster, return to daily activities sooner, and avoid expensive repeat surgeries. The technique can also be shared across hospitals nationally, building capacity for wider adoption.

This innovation not only advances orthopedic surgery in Indonesia but also contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by improving quality of life through accessible treatment. With this work, Unpad reinforces its reputation as a hub of medical innovation in Southeast Asia, pushing forward in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.