Universitas Indonesia (UI) in collaboration with the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) held a social service and health service activity for construction workers in the IKN Workers’ Housing area and students at SDN 020 Sepaku, East Kalimantan. The activity, which took place on November 7-8, 2024, was filled with health services in the form of general and dental health checks, free medical treatment, and health education attended by more than 500 participants.
UI’s Director of Community Service and Empowerment, Prof. Agung Waluyo, S.Kp., M.Sc., Ph.D, said that this community service activity is important considering that workers in the construction sector are very susceptible to various infectious and non-infectious diseases, so general and specific health checks need to be carried out. In addition, education related to healthy eating patterns is also needed by students in an effort to prevent stunting in children in the IKN area.
“We are very happy to be able to work with the IKN Authority to carry out this activity. In addition to providing much-needed access to health services, this activity is also a real form of our devotion to the community around the IKN area,” said Prof. Agung.
The Community Service Team consisting of the Head of the UI Community Service Sub-Directorate, Ns. La Ode Abd Rahman, S.Kep., MBA, and the Coordinator of the FKUI Community Service, Dr. Med. dr. Nyityasmono Tri Nugroho, Sp.B.Subsp.BVE(K); also supported by UI medical personnel from the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Nursing, and UI alumni.
During the activity, the UI Team examined the workers according to the complaints they felt, checked their blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid, and examined the patient’s teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can cause bleeding gums to tooth loss, and affect general health conditions, speaking ability, and systemic disease conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. For this reason, examinations are carried out to prevent oral cavity disorders that can reduce quality of life.
In addition, the community service team provided education to students regarding healthy food menus and portions. Participants were also given an understanding of healthy lifestyles and the need for deworming medication for children. The activity was then continued with the provision of nutritious food as an example of healthy food to maintain children’s nutrition, as well as deworming medication to be consumed every 6 months.
Director of Basic Services IKN, Dr. Suwito, SKM, M.Kes. and other IKN representatives, namely the Director of Green Ecosystem Development, Tonny Agus Setiono, S.Si.T., M.T., and dr. Silveria Octaviana Bailia, M.M., appreciated UI’s steps. According to Dr. Suwito, UI has contributed a lot to providing health services for the IKN community. “Previously, there have been many activities assisted by Universitas Indonesia, such as general health checks, dental checks, and even distributing free glasses. We hope that we can continue to collaborate to maintain the health of IKN workers to realize the dreams of this nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hamdan, an alumnus of FIK UI who works at one of the hospitals in IKN, hopes that this activity can be carried out routinely every year as an effort to improve the quality of public health in IKN. This is because hospitals located around the IKN construction site have a limited number of health workers, so support from UI is very meaningful.
“RSUD Ratu Aji Putri Botung is a government-owned hospital closest to the IKN construction site. In 2022, the number of dental polyclinic visits was 2,891 visits, higher than the general polyclinic with 2,024 visits. Unfortunately, the number of dentists at the hospital only numbered 4 personnel. This shows the high public need for dental health services, but it is not comparable to the available health workers,” said Hamdan.
Through this community service activity, UI is committed to continuing to play an active role in supporting community welfare, especially in the developing IKN area. The health checks and counseling carried out are expected to increase public awareness of the importance of healthy living and help in preventing disease, both for workers and children around the IKN area.
Stefanus, one of the IKN workers, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to UI and the parties who had organized the activity. “Thank you to Universitas Indonesia and related parties who have organized this activity. “Hopefully there will continue to be activities like this for us, the residents of IKN,” he said.
