About the Journal

The Unjaya International Conference of Health Sciences (UNICHS) is an annual international scientific forum in the field of health sciences, held since 2022. This conference is initiated and organized by the Nursing Program, Faculty of Health, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as part of the institution’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice in healthcare.

UNICHS is designed to serve as a scientific meeting platform for a diverse community, including healthcare practitioners, lecturers, students, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in health and related fields. Its main objective is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and the latest research findings that are relevant to the current challenges and developments in the health sector.

In its implementation, UNICHS raises critical and current issues in healthcare, strengthens the capacity of human resources in nursing and health, and offers innovative, research-based solutions. The conference also promotes interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration, aiming to enrich perspectives and broaden participants' professional networks.

UNICHS is held annually over the course of two days, consisting of seminar sessions and research presentations in the form of oral presentations and poster presentations. On Day One, the conference features distinguished scholars and experts—both national and international—who deliver keynote presentations aligned with the conference theme. On Day Two, selected participants present their scholarly work following a rigorous academic review process. Participants’ papers are published in the conference proceedings and reputable journals.

Through UNICHS, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta remains committed to contributing to the advancement of nursing science and practice, with meaningful impacts on the quality of healthcare services both nationally and globally.

3^rd Unjaya International Conference of Health Sciences 
Nursing Program, Faculty of Health, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta, is proud to host the 3^rd Unjaya International Conference of Health Sciences with the theme “Fostering National Resilience through Workforce Development”, which will take place on 13–14 November 2024 at the Faculty of Health, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

This conference is a tangible contribution to strengthening national resilience through the development of human resources, particularly in the health sector. National resilience is not only shaped by economic and political factors but is also strongly influenced by the capacity and readiness of the healthcare workforce to respond to global challenges such as pandemics, natural disasters, climate change, and social crises.

The conference will bring together academics, researchers, practitioners, students, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss and explore innovative approaches to workforce development. The focus will be on enhancing competencies, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and building sustainable strategies to create a resilient and adaptive health system.

Over the course of two days, the conference will feature a series of scientific activities, including keynote speeches from national and international experts, oral and poster research presentations, and in-depth panel discussions on strategic issues related to strengthening health workforce capacity. It will also serve as a platform for expanding professional networks and research collaborations.

This conference is expected to be an inspiring and productive intellectual forum, generating strategic ideas and policies aimed at achieving sustainable national resilience through the empowerment of the health sector.

1. Theme Introduction :

“Fostering National Resilience through Workforce Development”

National resilience is a fundamental pillar in ensuring the sustainability and sovereignty of a nation amidst an ever-evolving global landscape. Among the many strategic sectors, health plays a central role in maintaining societal stability and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated that a resilient health system relies heavily on the quality and capacity of its human resources.

However, numerous challenges persist in the development of the health workforce, including disparities in distribution, limited access to continuous education and training, low literacy in digital health and evidence-based practice, and limited involvement in research and scientific dissemination. These issues directly impact the quality of healthcare services and the ability of the national health system to withstand future crises.

Developing a competent, adaptive, and competitive health workforce is key to building a strong, inclusive, and sustainable health system. This effort must go beyond technical skill enhancement to include the strengthening of capacities in digital technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, and active involvement in evidence-based policymaking.

This international conference aims to create a collaborative platform for academics, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to share knowledge, research findings, and best practices in strengthening health workforce development. It also serves as a space to promote the transformation of health education and practice that is responsive to local, national, and global dynamics.

With the theme “Fostering National Resilience through Workforce” this conference represents a strategic step toward reinforcing healthcare human resources as a backbone of national resilience—now and in the future.

2. Conference Objectives

This conference is expected to serve as a platform for fostering collaboration and enhancing scientific literacy, particularly in the areas of health technology, health education, health research, and research-based healthcare practice.

3. Topic and Speaker

Topic 3.1.      : Resilience Health care Society

Speaker    : dr. Ira Cyndira Tresna, M.I.Kom, Head of the Center for Health Resilience System and Health Resources Policy, Ministry of Health

Topic description :

This presentation discusses the transformation of Indonesia’s health system as a strategic effort to achieve a healthy and resilient society toward the Indonesia Emas 2045. The transformation is structured around six main pillars: strengthening primary care, referral services, health financing, health human resources, health system resilience, and health technology. Major challenges include shortages of health workers, unequal distribution, and low retention rates, particularly in remote areas. The government also emphasizes the importance of pharmaceutical and medical device resilience through increased domestic production, cross-sector partnerships, and strengthened research and regulatory frameworks. Through collaborative strategies involving ministries and the healthcare industry, Indonesia aims to ensure the availability, quality, and accessibility of medicines and medical devices under both normal and emergency conditions.

Topic 3.2.      : The Contribution of Education about Complementary Therapy to Enhance Qualified Workforce and Improve Community Well-being

Speaker    : Prof. Intansari Nurjannah, S.Kp., M.NSc., Ph.D, Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Topic description :

This presentation emphasizes the importance of strengthening a qualified health workforce to improve community health, particularly through the use of  complementary therapies such as Sujok. Sujok, a Korean therapy that utilizes the hands (su) and feet (jok), has been proven to be safe, easy to apply, affordable, and effective in addressing various physical and psychological issues. It has been successfully applied in real cases such as chronic pain, chalazion, Bell’s palsy, and speech delays in children. Training programs for health workers to become Sujok therapists have been conducted with positive outcomes, enhancing both their competencies and community health impact, as demonstrated through Posyandu activities. This approach illustrates how innovative complementary therapies can offer practical and efficient solutions to resource limitations and contribute to building resilience in the public health system.

Topic 3.3.      : Enhancing Competency Programmes for Freshgraduated Nurse in US

Speaker    : Varsha Singh DNP, APN, CT-CP, NEA-BC, FAHA, St. Joseph's University Medical Center, United State of America

Topic description :

This presentation discusses the importance of innovative approaches to enhancing nursing competency through mentorship, skills testing, and continuing education. Nursing competency is defined as the integration of knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment, acquired through formal, informal, and reflective learning. Each nurse is individually responsible for assessing and maintaining their competence, while institutions, professional organizations, and regulatory bodies share the collective responsibility to create a supportive practice environment. Applying Benner’s theory, nurses are classified from novice to expert, each requiring different learning approaches. Competency development can be achieved through structured orientation, peer mentoring, regular evaluations, and active participation in professional development. This approach is believed to foster a culture of safety, support effective nursing practice, and empower nurses to make the highest contributions to the healthcare system.

Topic 3.4.      : Developing a global community of practice for pharmacy workforce resilience

Speaker    : Dr. Louise Hughes, Cardiff University, United Kingdom

Topic description :          

This presentation highlights the importance of resilience in the pharmacy profession, both among pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists. Resilience, defined as the ability to adapt and recover from stress, is closely linked to mental well-being and helps prevent burnout. Research shows that pharmacy students in the UK have lower levels of resilience and well-being compared to the general student population, with the most significant decline occurring in the second year of study. Similarly, practicing pharmacists exhibit lower resilience and well-being, along with a higher risk of burnout, especially following the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizational factors play a crucial role in either diminishing or enhancing individual well-being. Initiatives such as the Global Resilience Team (GRiT) were established as communities of practice to support resilience in the pharmacy workforce globally through research, networking, and resource development.

Topic 3.5.      : Building Workforce Resilience

Speaker    : Asst. Prof. Dr. Nittaya Panngam, Khon Khaen University, Thailand

Topic description :

Thailand’s maternity system provides comprehensive services from prenatal to postnatal care, aiming to improve maternal and newborn health. Through the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), women have free access to antenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. The country adopts various national policies and strategies to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, including the use of digital technology, midwifery training, and engagement of communities and private sectors. Midwifery education continues to evolve with curricula aligned to global standards. Although challenges remain, such as access in remote areas and health disparities, ongoing efforts in system strengthening, infrastructure investment, and public awareness campaigns are actively pursued to ensure equitable and quality maternity care for the entire population.