30/07/2025
KAMPANY 2025 Indonesia Medical Mission Trip
Bogor, Indonesia | July 22–24, 2025
From July 22 to 24, five physicians from KAMPANY traveled to Bogor, Indonesia, on a medical mission trip to serve underserved communities. Bogor, located 35 miles south of Jakarta, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with 93% of its population identifying as Muslim and approximately 6% as Christian.
The mission was led by Dr. Hyun Joon Lee, a family physician who spent part of her childhood in Indonesia. The team also included Dr. Pan Ko (Infectious Disease), Dr. Samuel Bae (Gastroenterology), Dr. Grace Park (Surgery), and Dr. John Kim (Ophthalmology). Departing from New York on July 18, the team brought with them medical equipment, supplements, medications, and vaccines.
We partnered with the Jakarta Korean Union Church to provide medical services to Indonesian pastors, missionaries, their families, and workers gathered for an annual retreat. Many of these individuals had limited financial resources and restricted access to healthcare—some were seeing a physician for the first time.
Over the course of three days, we conducted approximately 329 consultations, offering:
Patient triage, diagnosis, and treatment
On-site medication distribution
Dilated fundoscopic and slit-lamp eye examinations
Ultrasound-guided diagnostics
Reading glasses distribution
Intra-articular joint injections
Local Indonesian doctors and nurses collaborated with us by providing point-of-care testing for serum glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, and urinalysis. Many patients had never received vaccinations and expressed fear of needles. Through patient education, we vaccinated approximately 30 individuals and donated additional vaccines to help establish a community-based immunization program.
We were surprised by the high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Many patients had never been counseled on basic health measures such as weight management or smoking cessation. Common conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, GERD, anxiety, and depression were frequently encountered. We also diagnosed and initiated care for more complex issues including:
Steatotic liver disease
Polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS)
Uterine fibroids
Hydronephrosis
Inguinal hernias
Infertility
Advanced malignancies
Despite cultural and language barriers, our team was able to create a respectful, efficient, and compassionate care environment. One particularly impactful case involved a 41-year-old woman with a 12 cm necrotic breast mass. Fear and denial had kept her from seeking care. Through empathetic counseling and education, we encouraged her to pursue life-saving treatment, demonstrating the power of compassion and cultural sensitivity.
This mission reaffirmed the critical role U.S. physicians can play in promoting global health equity. By adapting to local needs, respecting cultural differences, and working collaboratively with Indonesian healthcare workers, we were able to deliver high-quality care in a setting with significant barriers to medical access.
The 2025 Indonesia Medical Mission was a profound reminder of how clinical expertise, when combined with empathy and teamwork, can bridge global healthcare gaps and leave a lasting impact on the lives of the underserved.
