The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) has again increased the number of Professors in the faculty with the inauguration of Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc., as Permanent Professor at FPH UI in the Field of Biostatistics on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at the UI Convention Hall. In his inaugural speech entitled “The Role of Biostatistics in Improving the Health of Indonesian People”, Prof. Besral said the role of biostatistics was important in improving the health status of the Indonesian people.
“Biostatistics is defined as the science and art of applying statistical principles in the fields of medicine, public health or biology,” said Prof. Besral. The principles of statistics are based on applied mathematics which includes methods and techniques for collecting data, processing, analyzing and presenting as well as interpreting or concluding the results into information. These principles include inference on a population and drawing conclusions that take uncertainty into account.
Biostatistics is a branch of statistical science that focuses on the application of statistical methods and principles to biological and health phenomena. These statistical principles and methods include collection, processing, analysis, interpretation, and conclusions, as well as presentation of data or information in various fields such as medicine, pharmacy, biology, and public health. Biostatistics can help understand biological processes, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or treatments, predict health outcomes, and make decisions based on data analysis.
The history of the development of biostatistics in public health is marked by the continuous evolution of statistical methods, their application in epidemiology, and their adaptation to address contemporary health challenges.
Biostatistics has become an integral part of public health research, playing an important role in shaping evidence-based policies and interventions to improve public health.
“In general, the contribution of biostatistics science (either directly or indirectly) in improving the health status of Indonesian society is very large. Biostatistics science is the foundation of evidence-based public health practice in Indonesia. This empowers policy makers, health professionals and researchers with insight-based “data, insights that are very necessary to overcome public health challenges more effectively, more efficiently and more effectively,” said Prof. Besral.
Apart from that, biostatistics also has an important role in overcoming COVID-19 which occurred from 2020 to 2022. Various programs and activities are carried out using biostatistics, including behavioral surveys and data analysis. One of the government policies in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic is the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). The success of implementing this policy can only be measured through behavioral surveys that can be carried out by biostatisticians. In handling the COVID-19 pandemic, biostatistics also plays a role in using big data, such as Google Trend, Google Mobility and Facebook data. This is to help simplify and speed up the collection and analysis of data related to population mobility behavior, PPKM compliance, compliance with self-isolation, and compliance with health protocols. The results of this analysis are used as material for planning, monitoring, and evaluation for more effective treatment.
“Biostatistics serves as the backbone of public health by providing tools and methodologies to understand, analyze, and address public health challenges. “Its role in collecting, interpreting and disseminating data is very important in developing effective public health strategies and policies to maintain and improve public health,” concluded Prof. Besral.
Prof. Besral completed his undergraduate education at FPH UI in 1994, then completed his master’s education at the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila in 2000, and completed his doctoral education at FPH UI in 2011. Currently, he serves as Quality Assurance Manager of FPH UI and Chair Public Health Division at the Independent Accreditation Institute for Higher Education Health (LAM-PTKes). Apart from that, he is also active as the Central Executive of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts (IAKMI) and the Central Executive of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Higher Education Institutions (AIPTKMI).
At the inauguration session chaired by Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., was also confirmed as Permanent Professor for the Faculty of Nursing (FIK), Prof. Agung Waluyo, S.Kp., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Permanent Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Prof. Dede Djuhana, M.Sc., Ph.D. Prof. Besral is the 69th Professor to be inaugurated by UI in 2023. (wrk)
