The Early Scabies Detection Team – Towards a Scabies-Free Indonesia (DESKAB–MIBS), the KH Mas Mansur UMS International Student Pesantren, and the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) held an Early Detection and Eradication of Scabies program as part of the national initiative toward a Scabies-Free Indonesia 2030, Sunday (23/11/2025).
The program involved key health partners, including the Indonesian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (PERDOSKI) Surakarta Branch, the Council for Public Health Development (MPKU) of Muhammadiyah Central Board (PP), and PT Galenium Pharmasia Laboratories. The event brought together academics, professional organizations, and Muhammadiyah pesantren networks across Central Java and surrounding regions.
Dean of FK UMS, Dr. dr. Flora Ramona Sigit Prakoeswa, M.Kes., Sp.D.V.E., Dipl.STD-HIV/AIDS., FINSDV., FAADV., emphasized in her remarks that scabies control efforts must be carried out in a massive and structured manner. She highlighted the stigma that has long labeled scabies as a “typical santri disease.”
“That stigma must be stopped through concrete programs such as counseling, information dissemination, education, examinations, and routine, well-planned mass treatment,” she stressed.
The Dean of FK UMS expressed her appreciation for the scabies eradication program previously conducted in East Java, which will later continue in West Java, West Sumatra, and other regions.
The Dean of FK UMS was accompanied by Vice Dean I, dr. Ratih Pramuningtyas, Sp.D.V.E., FINSDV, FAADV; Vice Dean II, dr. Erika Diana Risanti, M.Sc., AHK; and Vice Dean III, dr. Sulistyani, Sp.N. She expressed hope that the student cadres would continue learning and take an active role in maintaining the health and hygiene of pesantren environments.
According to her, the willingness to keep learning is a choice, and santri has great potential to become part of the national movement toward a scabies-free Indonesia.
In addition to delivering remarks, the Dean of FK UMS also served as a speaker for a health education session attended by the students of Pesma Internasional KH Mas Mansur UMS.
In her presentation, she explained that scabies eradication cannot be done partially. Comprehensive examinations must be conducted, including mass treatment for the hundreds of students identified with scabies. Afterward, students are equipped with the knowledge needed to prevent reinfection.
“The trained santri are expected to become the frontliners of scabies eradication, particularly in Central Java, through a program that empowers non-medical personnel as healthy-skin cadres in every pesantren, using a screening form to detect scabies,” she explained.
A representative of the UMS Rectorate, Dr. Azhar Alam, Lc., M.SEI., emphasized that this initiative aligns with UMS’s mission in the fields of Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyahan, especially in strengthening cadre development and community service. He noted that Indonesia has the highest number of scabies cases in the world, making collaborative actions like this essential.
“The collaboration between UMS, Muhammadiyah, health professionals, and pesantren can become a milestone for promoting clean and healthy living habits,” he said.
He also encouraged all santri cadres to serve as health ambassadors in their respective environments while helping eliminate the stigma that associates santri with skin diseases.
In his remarks, Azhar shared his personal experience as a pesantren alumnus. He underscored the importance of sanitation education, clean water management, and the proper upkeep of shared facilities in preventing scabies.
“These small habits, when practiced consistently, can significantly reduce the risk of transmission,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chair of Perdoski Surakarta Branch, Dr. dr. Nur M. Rachmat Mulianto, MSc., Sp.D.V.E. (K), FINSDV, FAADV, explained that scabies is a common issue frequently found in Islamic boarding schools. “Because the prevalence is very high, training for senior students is necessary so they can conduct early detection of skin disease symptoms, including scabies,” he said.
He explained that this activity is a continuation of previous training programs, and on this occasion Perdoski carried out diagnostic confirmation as well as treatment. He also expressed hope that this initiative would be a good deed and bring long-term benefits for both the pesantren and the wider community.
The Head of the DESKAB–MIBS Team, Prof. Dr. dr. Sandra Widaty, Sp.D.V.E. (K), FINSDV, FAADV, added that Indonesia ranks first in the world for the burden of scabies based on the Global Burden of Disease 2015. Therefore, cross-institutional collaboration is needed to reduce case numbers and improve the quality of life of students and pupils in boarding schools.
He emphasized that scabies is not merely a medical issue, but also affects students’ comfort in learning and their overall productivity. The early detection, education, and eradication program carried out together with Perdoski, FK UMS, Muhammadiyah, and other partners is expected to serve as a model for scabies prevention efforts in Indonesia.
A representative of MPKU PP Muhammadiyah, Dr. Husnan Nurjaman, S.Ag., M.Si., stated that Muhammadiyah’s involvement in health issues, including scabies, is not only an act of concern but also part of its religious mission to promote the well-being of the community. According to him, true religious commitment must be manifested through concrete efforts to solve societal problems.
He stressed that safeguarding public health has been one of Muhammadiyah’s core missions since its founding, alongside education and social services. Therefore, MPKU PP Muhammadiyah fully supports the eradication of scabies across Muhammadiyah boarding schools and other educational institutions.
The program also involved PT Galenium Pharmasia Laboratories as a partner in providing health products to support scabies eradication efforts.
A representative of Galenium, Agus Ahmad Yani, S.Si., Apt., expressed the company’s commitment to providing quality products and taking an active role in public health education together with Muhammadiyah.
He explained that Galenium is committed to supporting students’ comfort and learning through safe and effective skin-health products. “We hope this collaboration will accelerate the effort to eradicate scabies in boarding schools and the wider community,” he concluded.
Writer: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah
Editor: Maysali Sudarwati
Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid
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