Medan, 7 July 2026 – The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FK USU) welcomed a delegation from the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), consisting of Dr. Shan Lyu (Director of the Global Health Center, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases), Dr. Duoquan Wang (Deputy Director of the Global Health Center), Michelle Leong (HEAD Foundation), and Rahmad Isa (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia), to strengthen academic and research collaboration in the field of parasitic diseases, particularly malaria elimination, tropical disease management, and the development of laboratory technology-based research.
The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening ties between a higher education institution and an international research institute through the exchange of practical experiences, scientific discussions, and the exploration of research collaborations focusing on current issues in parasitic diseases.
The program began with a courtesy meeting with the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., who expressed his appreciation for the NIPD delegation's visit as a strategic step toward strengthening Universitas Sumatera Utara's international research network. On this occasion, he was accompanied by the President Director of Prof. dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis USU Hospital, dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, PGDip PID, FAAET, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A., Ph.D.
Following the university-level meeting, the delegation continued its visit to the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, where they were warmly welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. dr. Muara Panusunan Lubis, M.Ked(OG), Sp.OG., Subsp.K.Fm, along with the faculty leadership. Also present were the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Prof. Dr. dr. Dina Keumala Sari, M.Gizi., Sp.GK., Subsp.PK, dr. O.K. Ilham Abdullah Irsyam, Sp.OT., AIFO-K, and dr. Sunna Vyatra Hutagalung, M.S., Ph.D., a faculty member of the Faculty of Medicine.
During the meeting, the NIPD China CDC delegation expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the leadership of FK USU. They also conveyed their interest in the faculty's progress in tropical disease research, particularly the utilization of the Integrated Laboratory and Sequencing Laboratory as centers for molecular technology-based research. Meanwhile, the leadership of FK USU expressed their hope that the meeting would serve as the starting point for more concrete collaborations, including joint research projects, researcher and student exchange programs, scientific seminars, and international publications that contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the improvement of public health.
The delegation subsequently visited the Integrated Laboratory and the Sequencing Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine. The technical meeting held in the laboratories provided a forum for scientific discussions between FK USU researchers and the NIPD delegation. Various topics were discussed, including malaria elimination strategies, evidence-based management of parasitic diseases, the application of molecular technologies in disease diagnosis, and opportunities for future collaborative research involving both institutions. Indonesian researchers also presented their latest research findings and field experiences in controlling tropical diseases of mutual concern.
This visit also reflects the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara's commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through strengthening research on tropical diseases and improving the quality of healthcare services, as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which emphasizes the importance of global partnerships in generating innovation and sustainable solutions in the health sector.