Monday, April 17 2023, the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, officially collaborated with the Indonesian Association of Parents with Thalassemia (POPTI) Magelang. The offline signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place at Tidar Hospital, Magelang City, at 09.30 WIB. The MoU document was signed by Dr Woro Triaksiwi Wulansari, Sp.A., M.Sc. as Chairperson of POPTI Magelang, while representatives from the Faculty of Biology UGM namely Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. from the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding.
The collaboration between POPTI Magelang and the Faculty of Biology UGM was initiated to support the implementation of the Free Learning-Free Campus Program (MBKM) for research related to thalassemia and will support the screening program for thalassemia carriers for potential partners with thalassemia and Indonesian society in general. Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that needs attention to suppress the emergence of new cases through a thalassemia screening program. dr. Woro as Chair of POPTI Magelang really hopes that this collaboration will not only be for MBKM Research activities but also community service activities, education and motivation for families with thalassemia and other activities that are beneficial to POPTI and the UGM Faculty of Biology, as well as the wider community.
This collaboration also collaborates with various related parties who can support both implementation and financing. In particular, the collaboration between POPTI Magelang and the Faculty of Biology UGM is expected to provide support through research related to thalassemia as well as contribute to the success of prevention programs and reducing the prevalence of thalassemia sufferers in Indonesia.