UNS – UNS Care 2024 marks a significant effort by students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta to enhance healthcare access for underserved communities. The program was conducted in Kedokploso Hamlet, Pengkol Village, Nglipar District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, bringing positive health impacts to residents with limited access to medical services.

This innovative UNS Care initiative, launched for the first time this year, reflects UNS students’ commitment to advancing equitable healthcare access. Held in mid-October 2024, the program involved collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including UNS’s Student Executive Board (BEM), UNS Hospital, the Faculty of Law Student Board (BEM FH), and the UNS Faculty of Sports Student Association (Himakor).

“This program aims to provide free healthcare services and education, which are essential for rural communities. The event also received full support from the Gunungkidul Health Office, showing a strong synergy between academics, government, and society,” Program Chair, Ilma Nasikhatun Nisa, said to uns.ac.id on Tuesday (29/10/2024).

UNS Care featured two main activities. The first was free health check-ups for residents of Kedokploso Hamlet, providing essential healthcare directly to the community. The second activity was a health seminar on “Nutrition and Hypertension,” delivered by two experts, Dr. Martha Handoko, M.Kes., and Arinto Hadi, A.Md. Gizi, S.IP, M.Gizi.

The seminar emphasized the importance of a healthy diet and adequate nutrition in daily life, focusing on prevention as a key to avoiding hypertension. Often termed a “silent killer,” hypertension can be managed through balanced nutrition to help maintain normal blood pressure. The speakers highlighted nutrition’s crucial role in sustaining good health.

Agus, the Village Head of Pengkol, expressed his appreciation for UNS Care. He noted that this initiative provides essential health services to the community while also raising awareness about the long-term impact of diet on health.

“Education on nutrition and hypertension is crucial because many residents are not yet aware of the connection between diet and long-term health,” Agus said.

UNS Care presents a practical solution for advancing healthcare equity in Pengkol Village. Through this program, the community gains easier access to healthcare services in terms of distance, infrastructure, and facilities. BEM UNS’s Ministry of Social Welfare hopes to build awareness and bring healthcare services closer to those who need them most.

“The spirit of mutual assistance and compassion promoted by UNS Care is a tangible example that students can also contribute to tackling health challenges in Indonesia, particularly for communities marginalized from adequate healthcare access,” Ilma concluded.

Humas UNS