Semarang – The Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro (FK UNDIP) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education through impactful community engagement by welcoming a delegation from the Government of Gunungkidul Regency, led by the Vice Regent of Gunungkidul, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The meeting marked an important first step toward establishing a strategic partnership aimed at addressing regional public health challenges while delivering tangible benefits to the community.
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro (FK UNDIP), Prof. Dr. dr. Yan Wisnu Prajoko, M.Kes., Sp.B., Subsp.Onk(K), stated that collaboration with local governments is an integral part of the university’s mandate to make meaningful contributions to community development.
“This is a noble responsibility entrusted to us as a State University with Legal Entity status (Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Hukum). We have been mandated to foster development and create meaningful impacts for society. Therefore, healthcare challenges in the regions must become a shared priority—not only in remote areas outside Java, but also in neighboring regions with pressing needs for support in education, healthcare services, research, and community engagement,” said the Dean of FK UNDIP.
He added that strong collaboration between universities and local governments represents a strategic approach to improving healthcare services and delivering sustainable solutions. Such partnerships can enhance the capacity of the healthcare workforce while fostering an academic environment that directly contributes to better public health outcomes through continuous collaboration between healthcare providers and academic institutions.
“We hope this partnership will go beyond the placement of medical residents or the provision of healthcare personnel. More importantly, we aim to create an educational and academic ecosystem that strengthens the quality of healthcare services in the region, ensuring that the benefits experienced by the community are sustainable in the long term,” Prof. Dr. dr. Yan Wisnu Prajoko, M.Kes., Sp.B., Subsp.Onk(K), said.
During the meeting, Diah Prasetyorini, Vice Director of RSUD Wonosari, outlined several priority needs, particularly the shortage of specialist healthcare professionals. Key areas requiring further support include mental health, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, urology, anesthesiology and intensive care, surgery, and clinical nutrition, as well as the development of flagship services in cardiovascular, oncology, stroke, uronephrology (KJSU), and maternal and child health (KIA), in line with the Indonesian Ministry of Health’s national programs. She also highlighted the high incidence of suicide, stunting, and kidney stone disease—an issue associated with Gunungkidul’s limestone-rich geographical characteristics—as well as the broader need to improve the quality of healthcare services for the local community.
Rintako, a member of the Gunungkidul Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), noted that the partnership between the Gunungkidul Regency Government and Universitas Diponegoro already rests on a strong foundation through a previously signed memorandum of understanding. He expressed hope that the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro (FK UNDIP) would serve as a strategic partner in addressing the region’s healthcare challenges.
In response, the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro (FK UNDIP) reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate on programs that deliver tangible benefits to the community through strengthening healthcare services, developing the healthcare workforce, advancing undergraduate and specialist medical education, conducting applied research, and implementing community engagement initiatives tailored to regional needs. Both parties also agreed that the collaboration would extend beyond a formal Cooperation Agreement (PKS) by developing an integrated long-term master plan to support sustainable improvements in healthcare services and generate lasting benefits for the people of Gunungkidul Regency.
Representing the FK UNDIP Cooperation Team, dr. Santoso, Sp.N., emphasized that a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions and institutional readiness must be conducted before implementing the planned programs to ensure effective collaboration and maximize their impact.
“We need to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the existing healthcare services, regional needs, and available resources before deploying medical students or residents. This preliminary assessment is essential to ensure that every program is implemented effectively, is measurable, and remains fully committed to both patient safety and student safety,” said dr. Santoso.
Through this partnership, the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro (FK UNDIP) aims to become a strategic partner of the local government in improving access to high-quality healthcare services while strengthening the capacity of the healthcare workforce. Guided by Universitas Diponegoro’s commitment to dignity and meaningful impact (UNDIP Bermartabat dan Bermanfaat), FK UNDIP continues to deliver tangible contributions that address community needs and support sustainable health development. (Source: Faculty of Medicine Universitas Diponegoro/Astarina Wisnu AN)
