PUBLIC RELATIONS USU - The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FK USU) officially opened the International Summer Course, "Bridging Global Health Gaps: Stronger Systems, Healthier Lives, Sustainable Future," on Monday, July 21, 2025, in the 4th-floor auditorium of the Faculty.

This program collaborates with the Faculty and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute. A total of 136 participants participated in the program, including 10 international participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. The International Summer Course will run from July 21 to 26, 2025, with activities in Medan and Samosir, North Sumatra.

Prof. Dr. In her remarks, Vice Rector III, Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt., stated that the world is currently facing increasingly complex health issues, including unequal access to healthcare services, unequal distribution of resources, and a lack of preparedness to face global crises such as pandemics. Therefore, today's theme is highly appropriate, given the importance of connecting global health challenges with inclusive and sustainable solutions.

"This theme and topic are well-shared among us regarding the importance of building bridges between global health challenges and inclusive and sustainable solutions," she said.

Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt., explained that the International Summer Course program demonstrates a commitment to establishing a more collaborative and globally oriented global health organization. She believes strong health systems are built on humanitarian values and a commitment to equality. She hopes participants will explore healthcare systems from various countries and build networks for future collaborations. "We believe that a strong health system is not only built on infrastructure or technology, but also on humanitarian values and a commitment to equality," he explained.

The Committee chair, Dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, PGDipPID M.Ked(Ped)., Sp.A., Ph.D., stated that this International Summer Course can be a space for reflection, collaboration, and solidarity, where professionals, academics, and students from various backgrounds can exchange ideas to support an inclusive and sustainable health system.

"This event is not just an academic forum, but a space for reflection, collaboration, and solidarity," she said.

Dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, PGDipPID M.Ked(Ped)., Sp.A., Ph.D., hopes that the collaboration will continue and be available at the provincial and even district levels. She stated that health issues require the support of all parties, not just medical professionals. Therefore, this International Summer Course includes participants from various backgrounds for mutual strengthening.

"The main hope is to establish collaboration not only at the national level, but also regionally," he said.

The Dean I of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Dr. dr. Delyuzar, M.Ked(PA), Sp.PA(K), emphasized the importance of this activity as a learning process regarding the Indonesian health system. He believed the theme could generate ideas and provide input for health system development in Indonesia.
"The topic of this summer course is very interesting and can also provide input for our country," he said.