Since March 2020 ASRI Clinic has had general surgeons who can handle general surgery cases. Let's get to know Dr. Ronald Natawidjaja or usually called Dr. Ronald.

Dr. Ronald graduated from Maranatha Christian University, Bandung and continued his general surgery specialist school at Udayana University, Bali. Before becoming a surgeon, dr. Ronald worked as a general practitioner at the ASRI Clinic for almost three years in 2012-2015. This man who was born in Bandung talked about his experience of getting to know ASRI which led him to become a surgeon.

"In my opinion, ASRI is unique because it connects health and the environment, where previously I had never found an organization whose people could provide health services while protecting the environment," said Dr. Ronald with enthusiasm.

(Dr. Ronald is treating patients at the ASRI Clinic)

(Dr. Ronald provides training in wound suturing techniques with ASRI Clinic staff)

He said that another thing he likes about ASRI is the excellent tolerance and openness between staff, which makes the work atmosphere more peaceful and enjoyable. Apart from that, he also realized and learned a lot about living a more environmentally friendly life, such as throwing rubbish in the trash, bringing drink bottles, and sorting organic and non-organic waste at home.

In 2015, dr. Ronald studied as a specialist surgeon, which was supported by a scholarship provided by ASRI because the role of a surgeon is very important in areas far from the city center such as North Kayong. When he worked at ASRI as a general practitioner, he often received many surgical cases, but had to be referred to Ketapang because there were no surgeons in North Kayong at that time. The travel time required to reach the nearest hospital that has a specialist surgeon is around 2.5 hours.

“I chose to continue as a surgical specialist because as time went by I saw that North Kayong needed doctors who could provide surgical services in the future. I also saw that general surgery is comprehensive and can handle common and frequently treated cases. "If a patient needs to be referred to another specialist surgery, general surgery can provide initial treatment so that the patient is stable and safe when referred," said Dr. Ronald.

After graduating as a general surgeon, dr. Ronald and his wife came to North Kayong. He feels very happy to be able to return and provide health services to the people of North Kayong and its surroundings which are part of the Gunung Palung National Park. "I feel happy and nostalgic because I can meet again with old friends at ASRI, and can see the new ASRI with new faces. "The building looks very nice, beautiful and beautifully arranged," said Dr. Ronald. Apart from the ASRI Clinic, dr. Ronald also provides services at the Sultan Muhammad Jamaludin Hospital as a form of support and collaboration between ASRI, the North Kayong Health Service, and the Sultan Muhammad Jamaludin Hospital, to make it easier for the people of North Kayong to access surgical services.

(Dr. Ronald is on duty serving patients at Sultan Muhammad Jamaludin Hospital)

(Dr. Ronald with Dr. Maria Fransisca Antonelly - Director of RSUD Sulatan Muhammad Jamaludin. Photo taken before Covid19)