81st Indonesian Independence Day and the Meaning of Palestinian Freedom

While attending the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, physician Basuki Supartono found his thoughts turning to the fundamental principle enshrined in Indonesia's 1945 constitution: 'That in truth, independence is the right of all nations.' This profound statement, he writes, extends beyond Indonesia and even beyond powerful nations with significant allies; it must also apply to the Palestinian people.

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That in truth, independence is the right of all nations.

Supartono's presence in Cairo was part of a mission to train healthcare workers in wound care techniques, aiming to improve the quality of care for patients in Gaza suffering from chronic and complex wounds. The stark reality of Gaza's suffering, he notes, cannot be reduced to mere statistics, although the numbers are crucial for understanding the scale of the humanitarian tragedy. A report from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza indicated two deaths and 14 injuries within a 48-hour period, with many still trapped under rubble.

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The suffering in Gaza is not just a number. But numbers are still important because they show the scale of the humanitarian tragedy.

Cumulatively, since October 7, 2023, the conflict has resulted in over 73,000 deaths and more than 174,000 injuries, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Supartono stresses that these figures should not diminish human sensitivity, as each number represents an individual, a child, a mother, a father, a family, with interrupted dreams and futures. As a doctor, he understands that the impact of war extends far beyond the acute phase, leading to long-term needs for treatment and rehabilitation for conditions like chronic wounds, fractures, disabilities, and cancer.

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Behind every number is a human being. There is a child, a mother, a father, a family. There are dreams, there is a future that has been cut short.

This understanding underscores the critical importance of capacity building for healthcare workers. Patients require not only immediate life-saving interventions but also quality healthcare to live their remaining lives with dignity. The author's reflections bridge the celebration of Indonesian independence with the ongoing struggle for Palestinian self-determination, emphasizing a shared humanity and the universal right to freedom and well-being.

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Patients not only need help to survive but also quality healthcare services to live their next lives with dignity.