The Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D, inaugurated Prof. Dr. Robiana Modjo, S.K.M., M.Kes.; Prof. Dr. dr. Zulkifli Djunaidi, M.App.Sc.; and Prof. Dr. Ede Surya Darmawan, S.K.M., M.D.M. as Permanent Professors of the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), on Wednesday, November 20, at Balai Sidang, UI Depok Campus. Prof. Robiana was inaugurated as Professor in the Field of Occupational Health Science and became the 37th Professor in 2024 after delivering a scientific oration titled “Kesehatan Kerja sebagai Pilar Utama dalam Mendorong Pekerjaan Layak untuk Visi Indonesia Emas 2045” (Occupational Health as the Main Pillar in Encouraging Decent Work for the Vision of Golden Indonesia 2045).
In her speech, Prof. Robiana said that data from the International Labor Organization (ILO) shows that as many as 2.78 million workers die each year due to work-related accidents and diseases. Approximately 2.4 million of these deaths were caused by occupational diseases, and more than 380,000 were caused by work-related accidents. Therefore, Prof. Robiana sees the need for effective occupational health and safety management to protect workers, while increasing productivity, worker morale, and the organization’s reputation.
Based on Government Regulation Number 88 of 2019, occupational health is an effort aimed at protecting everyone in the workplace to live healthily and be free from health problems and negative effects caused by work. Occupational health has four main components, namely worker health promotion, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and the development of work organizations and cultures that support health. Effective implementation of occupational health components can contribute to improving the quality of life of individuals and encourage a healthier work environment.
Prof. Robiana also highlighted the role of occupational health in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In SDG 1 and SDG 2, occupational health contributes to efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger. In SDG 3, occupational health plays a role in improving the health and well-being of workers, reducing the burden of work-related diseases, and reducing lost work days due to health problems. Meanwhile, in SDG 8, occupational health supports decent work and economic growth through a safe and productive work environment; and in SDG 11, contributes to improving the welfare of workers that supports sustainable cities and settlements.
According to her, as a country with the opportunity for a Demographic Bonus starting in 2024, Indonesia can utilize occupational health as a main pillar in realizing Indonesia Emas 2045. Occupational health plays a significant role in achieving the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. Some of them are supporting Indonesia’s dream of becoming a high-income country with poverty approaching zero; becoming a foundation for creating a healthy, resilient, and productive workforce; and increasing the nation’s competitiveness in the global arena.
“By prioritizing occupational health, Indonesia can create a workforce that is not only resilient, but also competitive in the global market. For this reason, strategic steps are needed by involving the government, private sector, and workers, which are very important in ensuring that Indonesia has a healthy, productive workforce that is ready to face global challenges,” said Prof. Robiana.
In this case, the government needs to strengthen policies related to occupational health and well-being, and ensure their implementation in all sectors. Employers must commit to providing a work environment that supports the health and well-being of workers. Meanwhile, academics must continue to innovate through research and development of science that is relevant to the challenges of the world of work today and in the future. With the support of appropriate policies and strong collaboration, Prof. Robiana is optimistic that the demographic bonus can be a driver in improving the level of occupational health in Indonesia.
Prof. Robiana also provided recommendations for optimizing occupational health policies in Indonesia. Some of them are improving the quality and reach of occupational health programs through surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation to assess their effectiveness; adjusting policies and regulations to better suit current needs and are easy to implement; improving the quality of labor supervision and law enforcement in the field of Occupational Safety and Health (K3); and digital technology in the implementation of occupational health programs to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Prof. Robiana’s research on occupational health shows her interest in the field. She has also conducted research on other topics, namely Analysis of Instrument Development to Evaluate Employee Protection from Tuberculosis in Hospitals (2024); Risk of Major Cardiovascular Events in Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Workers in Qatar (2024); Covid-19 Infection Prevention and Control for Hospital Workers in Indonesia (2023); and Influence of Safety Climate on Safety Performance in Gas Stations in Indonesia.
Prof. Robiana completed her undergraduate education at FKM UI in 1993; Masters in Public Health, FKM UI in 1998; and Doctorate in Epidemiology UI in 2007. Currently, she serves as Chair of Pakar Perhimpunan Ahli Kesehatan Kerja Indonesia Expert (PAKKI) and has served as General Chair of the same organization for the period 2016–2022.
