EduAsiaNews, Yogyakarta – Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta is facing an urgent need to strengthen its healthcare services following findings indicating a cancer prevalence rate of 3.6 per 1,000 population, according to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI). Notably, breast cancer cases in the region are predominantly found among women aged 20 to 54 years.
In response to this situation, Yogyakarta has been officially designated as a national pilot city for strengthening breast cancer management. This strategic step was marked by the launch of the Yogyakarta Breast Cancer Initiative (YBCI), held at the Auditorium of the Fakultas Kedokteran, Kesehatan Masyarakat, dan Keperawatan Universitas Gadjah Mada on Friday (27/1).
The Chair of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation’s Regional Coordinating Branch of Yogyakarta, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, emphasized that breast cancer management requires a human-centered nursing approach. According to her, each individual experiences a unique cancer journey and therefore requires care that extends beyond physical treatment alone. She underscored the importance of addressing patients’ comprehensive needs, including ecological, spiritual, and social dimensions.
Furthermore, she noted that the success of the YBCI program depends not only on the quality of medical services but also on the presence of companions who can provide assistance tailored to patients’ specific needs. Through a collaborative approach involving various societal elements, breast cancer patients are expected to receive comprehensive support to complete their medical treatment.
For reference, YBCI serves as the operational model of the National Action Plan for Breast Cancer initiated by the Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. In its implementation, the Ministry collaborates with the City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can) and has appointed the Fakultas Kedokteran, Kesehatan Masyarakat, dan Keperawatan Universitas Gadjah Mada as the Lead Implementing Partner.
The Chair of the YBCI City Executive Committee, Kartika Widayati, stated that this initiative is crucial for mapping the actual conditions in the field. She explained that YBCI helps identify systemic gaps, strengthen service coordination, and establish actionable priorities that can be replicated in other cities across Indonesia.
She further elaborated that YBCI originated from an eight-month program entitled the City Engagement Process (CEFP), which focused on establishing governance structures to enhance coordination among stakeholders. This structure includes the City Executive Committee (CEC) as the directing and strategic decision-making body, comprising representatives from local government, hospitals, academia, civil society, and patient groups.
Under the CEC, a Breast Cancer Working Group (BCWG) will be formed, consisting of technical experts. This working group is organized into four main pillars: cancer management and quality of care, diagnostic services, treatment services, and community and patient access.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Fakultas Kedokteran, Kesehatan Masyarakat, dan Keperawatan Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yodi Mahendradhata, stated that the institution’s long-standing history has consistently been grounded in a commitment to addressing the real welfare needs of society. He affirmed that the launch of YBCI represents a collective endeavor to ensure that policies, scientific knowledge, and healthcare services effectively respond to the challenges of breast cancer in Indonesia.
He further emphasized that addressing breast cancer cannot be separated from systemic issues related to governance, access, literacy, and policy. With the designation of Yogyakarta as the first Horizon City in Indonesia, YBCI is expected to serve as an operational model for implementing the National Action Plan at the municipal level in a contextualized, integrated, and sustainable manner—bridging national policy, scientific evidence, and access to healthcare services.
