The Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), assigned to North Rupat District, Bengkalis Regency, Riau, has demonstrated its commitment to improving public health services in coastal communities through active participation in Integrated Health Post (Posyandu) activities and free health check-ups.
These activities were held as part of a working visit by the Chairperson of the Riau Province Posyandu Steering Team, Henny Sasmita, who is also the wife of the Governor of Riau, accompanied by the Chairperson of the Bengkalis Regency Posyandu Steering Team, Siti Aisyah. The event took place at the Perkasa Hall in Tanjung Medang Village on Friday, Jul. 25, 2025.
Farrly Sheva Rahmawan, Coordinator of the Kemilau Riau 2025 Team, explained that the team played a significant role in supporting programs focused on stunting intervention and immunization for zero-dose children.
A total of 27 students were actively involved alongside three representatives from the Kemilau Riau health team in ensuring the success of each stage of the event.
“We were assigned to various health check-up stations, such as measuring children’s height and weight, checking nutritional status, conducting eye and dental exams, and assisting directly at each examination point,” he said during an interview on Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025.
Beyond providing technical support, the students also fostered strong social connections with the local community, especially children and elderly participants who enthusiastically took part in the check-ups.
Rahmawan noted that this enthusiasm reflects a high level of public awareness about the importance of health, even in remote areas.
The presence of UGM students was also greatly appreciated by the medical personnel on duty. With a large number of residents attending, the students’ assistance helped facilitate the process and expedite services.
“Due to the high turnout, the medical staff acknowledged that our presence was very helpful and made their work much easier throughout the event,” he added.
Although not a routine program, this event became a significant moment for the residents of Tanjung Medang Village.
In addition to health services, the event also featured the distribution of infant growth monitoring tools from Kagama Riau, a book donation for the Reading Corner by the Riau Provincial Library and Archives Office, fruit tree planting as part of a backyard utilization campaign, and the distribution of 50 food packages through a collaboration between the Posyandu Steering Team and the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) of Bengkalis Regency.
Author & Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographs: Kemilau Riau KKN Team