Integrated Haematology and Oncology Service Launched to Improve Cancer Care in Indonesia
The Ministry of Health reports there are 400,000 new cancer cases each year with a mortality rate reaching 240,000. The ministry predicts this figure will increase by more than 70 percent by 2050 without strengthened prevention and early detection efforts. Atma Jaya Hospital held a medical seminar titled: “Current Concepts for Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Care: Translating Advances in Orthopedics into Collaborative, Patient-Centered Practice”. This seminar served as a national scientific forum bringing together specialist doctors, sub-specialists, general practitioners, academics, researchers, and other health workers to discuss the latest developments in handling musculoskeletal diseases, rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, and cancer. Current developments in medical science demand increasingly collaborative health services that are evidence-based and patient-centred. Musculoskeletal diseases and cancer are two groups of diseases that require a multidisciplinary approach so that diagnosis can be made quickly and therapy can be administered appropriately. Through this seminar, participants received updates on Modern Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, Complex Extremity Reconstruction, Spine Care, Stem Cell Application in Cartilage Injury, Regenerative Musculoskeletal Medicine, Sports Injury Management, Early Detection and Management of Cancer, the Complexity of Handling Musculoskeletal Tumours, and Challenges in Treating Geriatric Patients with Cancer. One of the most anticipated sessions concerned cancer issues, including developments in early cancer detection, current cancer management, multidisciplinary approaches, musculoskeletal tumours, and challenges in handling elderly cancer patients. “This discussion demonstrates the importance of synergy between various scientific fields, including internal medicine, especially haematology-oncology, surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics, radiology, anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, medical rehabilitation, as well as health workers and supporting facilities in providing optimal cancer care,” said the Director of Atma Jaya Hospital, Dr. Maria Theresia Yulita. Coinciding with the seminar, Atma Jaya Hospital officially introduced its Haematology and Oncology Service as one of its flagship service developments. The Atma Jaya Hospital Haematology and Oncology Service is designed with an integrated care concept that includes specialist and sub-specialist doctor consultations, early detection and cancer screening, haematology laboratory examinations, supporting radiology examinations, anatomical pathology examinations, comprehensive diagnosis, multidisciplinary therapy planning, patient assistance during treatment including religious support, therapy monitoring, medical rehabilitation, patient and family education, and palliative care and pain management according to patient needs. Through this national seminar and the launch of the Haematology and Oncology Service, Atma Jaya Hospital hopes to continue contributing to improving the quality of health services in Indonesia.