With a vast archipelago and diverse geography, further burdened by socioeconomic disparities, many rural and remote regions in Indonesia lack adequate and have unequal access to healthcare facilities and professionals. Outreach programs bridge this gap by bringing essential health services directly to underserved communities. These programs target vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive the support needed for better health outcomes. Outreach programs can help in the prevention, early detection, and education to reduce the prevalence and impact of diseases found in Indonesia. This is especially important since many health issues stem from a lack of awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care. Outreach programs serve to educate communities on these topics, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
The Comprehensive Community Health Care-Education Program (CCHC-EP), for instance, was introduced by the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Gadjah Mada in the 1990s as part of its commitment to community-based learning and healthcare. This program emphasised engaging students with community health issues through community service programs (KKN) and Community Health Service-Learning Program (K3M), fostering interprofessional collaboration among medical, nursing, and nutrition students. In 2013, a renewed effort led to the development of the Community and Family Health Care with Interprofessional Education (CFHC-IPE) program. This initiative aimed to integrate holistic healthcare education across disciplines, involving students in longitudinal learning experiences spanning seven semesters. Unlike its predecessor, CFHC-IPE focused on working with family partners and local health teams, ensuring comprehensive health interventions for individuals, families, and communities. Despite challenges in aligning the curricula of medicine, nursing, and nutrition programs, CFHC-IPE has evolved through continuous improvements and remains a cornerstone of UGM’s interprofessional education and community health initiatives.
Simply put, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) delivers comprehensive outreach programs to promote health and well-being in local communities. These initiatives address key topics such as hygiene, nutrition, family planning, ageing well, and preventive care. Through collaborations with local governments, health cadres, and academic units, UGM implements projects that empower communities with knowledge and services to improve their health. Most of UGM’s community service and community outreach programs are carried out by student volunteers. There are various health programs being served, such as:
Health Services and Education for Local Residents
UGM provides free health check-ups, dental health education, and lifestyle counselling for elderly citizens and community health cadres from villages near and surrounding UGM, especially in Sinduadi and Caturtunggal Villages. UGM hosts programs on elderly health care and emergency preparedness through free health check-ups and emergency response education for elderly residents and their caregivers in these villages.
Health Examination and Education for Residents Around UGM
Source: https://pengabdian.ugm.ac.id/2023/12/13/pererat-jalinan-kebersamaan-dan-tingkatkan-kesehatan-warga-sekitar-ugm-selenggarakan-bakti-sosial-pemeriksaan-dan-edukasi-kesehatan/
Health Education and Preventive Care
The Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at UGM’s Faculty of Pharmacy organised a program in Dukuh Soge Sanden, Bantul, educating residents about healthy lifestyles, and managing degenerative and chronic diseases. Topics included the importance of mental, physical, and social health, following the “GERMAS” movement’s seven steps, and specific prevention strategies for hypertension and diabetes. The program also offered health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and uric acid.
Counseling on healthy lifestyles and prevention of degenerative diseases by the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy
Source: https://farmasi.ugm.ac.id/departemen-kimia-farmasi-fakultas-farmasi-ugm-adakan-penyuluhan-kesehatan-di-dukuh-soge-sanden-bantul/
Women's Reproductive Health Education
The session featured expert guidance from UGM’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The program covered essential topics on maintaining reproductive health from childhood to menopause, with practical advice on hygiene practices to prevent diseases. Participants showed high engagement, actively asking questions and consulting the expert. The initiative aims to equip local women with knowledge to promote healthier reproductive practices and well-being.
The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) UGM filled the reproductive health education.
Source: https://hdss.fk.ugm.ac.id/2023/07/21/penyuluhan-kesehatan-reproduksi-sribit-2023/
Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
This program targeted improving the health of children and the elderly in Bantul Regency. The program included health education for local health cadres on managing hypertension, diabetes, stroke prevention, stunting, obesity, and vision care. Funded through UGM’s Integrated Community Engagement Grant, the initiative emphasised empowering cadres with knowledge to identify and address NCD risk factors and vision issues in their communities.
UGM Community Service Team Holds Empowerment of Cadres and Health Screening for Children and the Elderly
Source: https://pengabdian.fk.ugm.ac.id/pemberdayaan-kader-dan-penapisan-kesehatan-anak-dan-lansia-di-bantul-yogyakarta/
Nutrition Awareness for Culinary MSME
The AHS UGM Health Tourism Priority Topic Team conducted a session covering healthy kitchen practices, food safety, and workplace health. Attended by culinary entrepreneurs, the event emphasised hygiene in food packaging to prevent foodborne diseases.
Other community outreaches on health education and screening for women and the elderly in Padukuhan Cungkuk. The program aimed to raise awareness about Clean and Healthy Living Behaviors (PHBS), zoonotic diseases, and degenerative illnesses. Held at the village head’s residence, the event included interactive health talks and the distribution of informational leaflets.
Other programs include dental health care and education for the elderly, where the Dental Hygiene Study Program of UGM’s Faculty of Dentistry provides dental check-ups and health education for elderly participants in Sidorejo Village.
The Health Tourism Priority Topic Team “Healthy Tourism Awareness Community” AHS UGM has carried out Socialization of Standardized Food Nutritional Content
Source: https://ahs.ugm.ac.id/2023/10/06/pelatihan-dan-sosialisasi-kandungan-gizi-makanan-yang-terstandarisasi-di-kelurahan-kadipaten/
UGM’s diverse community health programs demonstrate the institution’s dedication to integrating education, research, and social responsibility. These outreach initiatives foster long-term improvements in health and well-being by addressing critical health topics and engaging local and vulnerable populations. UGM’s sustained efforts highlight the importance of collaboration and innovation in empowering communities and advancing public health on multiple fronts.
References:
- Comprehensive Community Health Care-Education Program
- Interprofessional Education and Community Health Initiatives
- Health Services and Education for Local Residents
- Elderly Health Care and Emergency Preparedness
- Health Education and Preventive Care
- Women’s Reproductive Health Education
- Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Nutrition Awareness for Culinary MSME
- Screening for Women and The Elderly
- Dental Health Care and Education