On June 4, 2025, the Indonesian Prenatal Institute (IPI) was honored to participate as a keynote speaker in an international conference hosted by Nghe An Maternity – Pediatric Hospital (Bệnh viện Sản Nhi Nghệ An) in Vinh City, Nghe An Province, Vietnam. This significant event gathered experts and practitioners from various institutions to discuss current advancements and collaborative efforts in maternal and child health across Southeast Asia.
Representing Indonesia, dr. Adly Nanda Al Fattah, Sp.OG, from the Indonesian Prenatal Institute, delivered a keynote address titled “First Trimester Screening: Optimizing Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Indonesia.” The presentation highlighted the institute’s dedicated efforts in implementing early prenatal screening protocols and their measurable impact on maternal-fetal health across the country. By focusing on the importance of first trimester screening for pre-eclampsia, aneuploidies, and other complications, IPI emphasized how timely detection leads to timely intervention, potentially saving countless lives.
The session was well-received, with strong engagement from international participants. Among them, fellow keynote speaker GS.TS.BS Phạm Nhật An extended his appreciation for IPI’s commitment and applauded the real-world impact of its work, particularly its ability to adapt scientific evidence into community-based solutions that are accessible and sustainable.
After the conference, the IPI team visited Nghe An Maternity – Pediatric Hospital, where they observed firsthand how Vietnam’s maternal and child healthcare services operate. Though the infrastructure was modest, the system was well-structured and efficient. High patient volumes, experienced professionals, and streamlined workflows reflected the hospital’s ability to provide quality services at scale.
One of the key highlights of the visit was a tour of the Prenatal Diagnostic Unit, where the team learned about the hospital’s protocols in early anomaly detection, genetic counseling, and fetal monitoring. The facility is equipped with core diagnostic technologies and supported by a dedicated team with clear referral pathways, allowing effective integration between screening and clinical management. This provided valuable insights into how limited-resource settings can still establish and maintain effective prenatal care with the right strategies and commitment.
Furthermore, the team was impressed by the hospital’s research output, with several studies successfully published in internationally recognized journals. This experience offered valuable lessons in how health systems can thrive through the integration of service, training, and research.
The key takeaway from IPI’s participation in the conference was clear: first trimester screening is far more than a method for detecting pre-eclampsia or Down’s syndrome. It is a gateway to broader maternal and fetal health awareness. Furthermore, while genetics-based testing holds great promise, ensuring affordability remains a critical challenge. Above all, research alone is not enough. There must be a collective effort to build public campaigns, ensure accessible services, provide proper training, enforce quality control, and leverage collaboration and technology, each essential to saving more mothers and babies.
IPI extends its heartfelt gratitude to all parties who made this collaboration possible. Special thanks go to Gene Solutions, the Indonesian Prenatal Institute team, dr. Aditya Kusuma, Chairman of IPI, and KMNC Group.
This event marks another meaningful step in IPI’s journey to support a healthier future for mothers and children across the region. May this sharing continue to benefit the health and well-being of women and families throughout Indonesia and beyond.
