Climate change has impacted various sectors, including the environment and human health. It has led to issues such as insufficient nutrition due to crop failures and increased risks of skin cancer from higher sun exposure.
In response to these challenges, UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) launched the 2024 Summer Course on Interprofessional Healthcare with the theme ‘Empowering Communities for Climate Health Resilience.’
The program, which ran from Oct. 28 to Nov. 8, aimed to empower communities to strengthen their health resilience to climate change.
The summer course was attended by 28 UGM students, five from Universitas Pattimura and one from Universitas Indonesia. International students included 24 from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands), one from the University Putra Malaysia (Malaysia), and one from the University of Malta (Italy). These students had the opportunity to directly observe public health challenges through visits to 10 community health centers (Puskesmas) in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, including Puskesmas Wates, Sentolo 1, Sentolo 2, Pengasih 1, Pengasih 2, Nanggulan, Kalibawang, Lendah 1, Panjatan 2, and Temon.
Dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at FK-KMK UGM, stated in a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, that health issues are complex and cannot be addressed in isolation.
They require collaboration across various disciplines. Health problems are not only local but also international.
Involving international participants to exchange information, discuss common issues, and find alternative solutions is essential.
This collaborative approach was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when healthcare workers could not handle the crisis alone, and contributions from other sectors were essential. This idea became the basis for the summer course.
“During the 2020-2021 pandemic, healthcare workers were overwhelmed, and contributions from social sciences and other fields were crucial to combating the crisis,” he added.
The involvement of other disciplines in the pandemic response inspired collaboration with other UGM faculties during the Summer Course, including the Faculty of Geography, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Faculty of Dentistry.
Since 2016, the theme of the Summer Course has evolved to address global health challenges. “This year’s theme is climate change, but many health issues require a multidisciplinary approach. Future summer courses may address other global health topics,” said Dr. Sadewa.
He also thanked the stakeholders in Kulon Progo for their support during the program.
Professor Gunadi, Head of the FK-KMK International Team, emphasized that community involvement is key to climate health resilience.
This program focused on three main points: raising awareness and education about climate change, community-based adaptation strategies through active participation, and technological innovations for climate-resilient infrastructure and energy practices.
Kulon Progo was chosen for the program because it aligns well with the Global Health Minor course required for international medical students.
“We tried other areas in Yogyakarta, but Kulon Progo was the most suitable because the local government (OPD) is well-organized,” said Professor Gunadi.
Sri Budi Utami, MD, Head of Kulon Progo’s Health Office, welcomed the partnership with UGM.
Despite receiving the smallest regional budget compared to other sectors, she praised the successful cross-sector collaboration and ongoing community empowerment programs in Kulon Progo.
“Climate issues are very relevant here, especially with unpredictable planting seasons affecting food security, health, and other aspects,” she explained.
She also highlighted how placing students in realistic health settings fosters empathy.
“We hope this program continues, and as the host, we aim to meet all expectations and provide support,” she concluded.
The press conference ended with a visit to Dapur Mucuna Chips, a community empowerment project by Puskesmas Sentolo 1 for people with disabilities in Kaliagung village.
Renny Lo, MD, head of the health center, explained their efforts to help people with disabilities form groups based on their passions.
“With the help of the village head, we developed 27 hectares of mung bean land last year, and now we process the harvest into chips. The process is well-managed from start to finish,” the physician said.
Renny believes in fostering independence and empowerment through training and support for people with disabilities. Dapur Mucuna Chips now produces 5 kg of chips per day, and sales are currently limited to Kulon Progo.
“We’re still growing, but with this Summer Course, we hope to raise awareness about our products,” Renny said.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Donnie