Doctor Terawan Lectures At Harvard, Immunotherapy Nusantara Can Be Indonesia's Donation To The World

Special Advisor for the Health of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Terawan Agus Putranto became a guest lecturer at Harvard Medical School, United States. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Special Advisor for the Health of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Terawan Agus Putranto was a guest lecturer at Harvard Medical School (Hard School Medical School) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States (US).

In a guest lecture on Monday, March 31, local time or Tuesday, April 1, early morning WIB, dr. Terawan delivered a paper entitled 'Making Immunotherapy in Low Resources Settings (Indonesia and Timor Leste)' which is his specialty.

In front of dozens of public lecturers, the former health minister explained about Immunotherapy Nusantara. According to Terawan, Immunotherapy Nusantara is developed as a therapy that uses the body's immune system to fight disease, including infections and cancer.

The head of the Indonesian Presidential Team of Doctors for the 2009-2019 period explained that the therapy was developed using materials in Indonesia. Despite using limited resources, Immunotherapy Nusantara is now constantly growing.

"Until now, it has developed to other countries, Timor Leste," said Terawan in a guest lecture held at Armenise Modell 100 Atrium, Harvard Medical School Campus.

The former head of the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital added that a number of other countries had contacted him to collaborate in the development of the Nusantara Immunotherapy in their country. It is also possible to develop using materials in the local country.

"You can use medicinal plants and microorganisms," added Terawan in his presentation using English.

The alumnus doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Yogyakarta also invited academics, researchers, and students to actively move in research and development of science, especially in the medical field.

"The disease is growing, so science must also continue to develop," said Terawan in a lecture which was also broadcast virtually through Zoom.

The recipient of the honorary professor's degree in military medicine from the Defense University explained that the development of health science is a shared responsibility. Terawan emphasized that anyone and any country can conduct research and development of health sciences.

"The campus can be a driving force for research on health science," he added.

However, Terawan emphasized the importance of all parties, including other countries, collaborating in the development of health science. According to him, Indonesia is able to develop the Nusantara Immunotheraphy with available resources.

"The point is collaboration and continuous research. Sources can come from anywhere," he said.

Terawan believes that the Nusantara Immunotheraphy can be Indonesia's contribution to the world.

"The Immunotheraphy Nusantara system is produced by researchers from Indonesia so that the development of health science can be beneficial for the world," he added.

Professor of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School Prof. Byron J Good also appreciated Terawan's willingness to attend the guest lecture. The medical antropologist thanked Terawan for explaining the issue of Immunotheraphy Nusantara.

Assistant II Special Advisor for Health President Oktafiandi said the development of the Immunotherapy Nusantara was an effort to realize the sovereignty of the nation and state. Spokesperson for dr. Terawan said President Prabowo wanted Indonesia to also be sovereign in the health sector.

President Prabowo emphasized the importance of providing easy and cheap access to health to the people, as well as realizing sovereignty in the health sector. "Immunotherapy Nusantara is one of the efforts to achieve Indonesia's health sovereignty," said the former special staff of the health minister who is now a doctoral candidate for communication science.