The Indonesian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) successfully organized the “Indonesia Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Scientific Forum: IBD Referral from Primary Care to Tertiary Care.” This meeting was held on January 18, 2025, at the JS Luwansa Hotel, Jakarta, and attended by 35 panelists, comprising Advisors, ISG Board Members, and Chairman of the INA ASL-ISDE-ISG branches/representatives across Indonesia.
The forum was designed to address various strategic issues related to the management of IBD, including discussions on the IBD referral form, which will serve as a guideline for the patient referral process from primary care to tertiary care. All panelists actively contributed their insights, opinions, and feedback on the materials discussed, particularly concerning the IBD Referral Form, which will serve as a standardized referral tool for managing patients with IBD.
The meeting was chaired directly by the President of ISG, Prof. Ari Fahrial Syam, MD, PhD, MMB, FACP, FACG, and accompanied by Dr. Saskia Aziza Nursyirwan. The agenda included three main presentation sessions, discussions, and reports from four ISG branches highlighting the status of IBD in their respective regions.
Session Highlights
- First Session “Diagnostic Approach of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)”, presented by Prof. Marcellus Simadibrata, MD, PhD, FACG, FASGE.
- Second Session “The Role of Biologic Agents in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Management”, presented by Prof. Muhammad Miftahussurur, MD, PhD, MPH.
- Third Session, “The Role of Screening for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Current Evidence”, Presented by Dr. Hasan Maulahela.
Reports from PGI Branches
Four PGI branches delivered reports on the status of IBD in their respective regions, presented by:
- Dr. Andi Muhammad Luthfi Parewangi (Makassar)
- Dr. Didik Indiarso (Semarang)
- Dr. Budi Widodo (Surabaya)
- Dr. Masrul Lubis (Medan)
These reports emphasized the challenges in diagnosing, treating, and managing IBD in different areas.
The meeting provided valuable inputs that will serve as the foundation for developing the IBD referral form. ISG remains committed to facilitating similar scientific forums to enhance the quality of gastroenterological services in Indonesia.
