Ni Nengah Sabe and her 4.5-year-old son, I Komang Ceska Praditya, walked towards the health workers who were conducting an examination at the Banjar Dinas Desa Adat Geriana Kauh, Karangasem, Bali, on Monday, August 26. She seemed to be in a hurry because it was getting late and the health check was about to close. “I got information from my sister that there was a free health check at the Banjar hall. So, I asked permission for a moment from the village head from the traditional ceremony so that I could take the examination,” she said.
Ni Nengah took a series of tests after conveying the complaints she felt, such as pain in the eyes and neck, frequent tingling in the hands, and easily disturbed sleep. This was her first health check since the last check-up when she gave birth to her child 4.5 years ago. “After the check-up, I never did it again. For that, I am very grateful because UI and friends are willing to go to remote villages. Oh my, I am very grateful that there are free check-ups, especially for the underprivileged. Until now, if we don’t have BPJS, we can’t get treatment,” she said while carrying her child.
Ni Nengah is one of 200 residents of Geriana Kauh Traditional Village who participated in a health check-up program held by Universitas Indonesia (UI) through the Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment (DPPM). In this program, UI collaborates with academics and health workers from several institutions, including STIKES Kesdam IX Udayana, STIKES Wira Medika Bali, PT Unicare Clinic, RSU Prima Medika Denpasar, and UPTD Puskesmas Selat.
Director of DPPM UI, Prof. Agung Waluyo, S.Kp., M.Sc., Ph.D., said that health services are one of the efforts to build community resilience in order to create an independent society. “In developing Geriana Kauh Village, we recognize the potential of this area and the challenges faced. Furthermore, together with related partners, we coordinate to map out which problems must be resolved first, and this health problem is important and urgent,” said Prof. Agung.
Since 2016, UI has initiated various programs for the Geriana Kauh Traditional Village, including the preservation of the Sang Hyang Dedari Dance which was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible World Heritage. UI established the Sang Hyang Dedari Giri Amerta Museum which was inaugurated in 2019 as an effort to preserve cultural heritage while developing village tourism so that indigenous people can be independent.
However, there are many challenges faced by the residents at the foot of Mount Agung, one of which is serious health problems. It was recorded that five diseases are commonly suffered by Geriana Kauh residents, namely hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyspepsia, ISPA (Infeksi Saluran Pernapasan Akut or Acute Respiratory Tract Infection), and hepatitis. For this reason, the UI Community Service Team in collaboration with local academics and health workers held health service activities that took place in two places, namely the Sang Hyang Dedari Museum and the Geriana Kauh Banjar Dinas, on August 26-27, 2024.
In its implementation, the UI Community Service Team is led by a Lecturer from the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), Dr. Ali Akbar, S.S., M.Hum., with members, namely drg. Benso Sulijaya, Sp.Perio (K), Ph.D (Faculty of Dentistry), Danang Aryo Nugroho, S.Hum. (FIB), and from DPPM, namely Dr. Luh Gede Saraswati Putri, S.S., M.Hum .; Ns. La Ode Abdul Rahman, S,Kep., M.B.A; and Ricky A. Septiawan, S.E.
The health services provided include counseling and health checks. In the counseling activities, participants received education related to five diseases that are commonly suffered, namely symptoms, causes, how to treat them, and how to prevent them. Furthermore, during the examination activities, blood pressure, height, and weight were checked; examination of the function of vital organs such as pulse and body temperature; simple blood tests including blood sugar, uric acid, and cholesterol; and dental and oral examinations. During the activity, residents can also consult with general practitioners and dentists directly.
According to Ns. Ketut Lisnawati, S.Kep., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.M.B., a lecturer at STIKES Wira Medika Bali, from the results of the health examinations conducted, the most common cases found were cholesterol, uric acid, and blood sugar. Lack of information regarding the types of food that are good to consume makes residents have an unbalanced diet.
“Indeed, the tradition of the community here is to consume red meat during celebrations, as well as garden produce, such as durian, long beans, and undis beans. These foods are certainly safe to consume if not excessive. Therefore, on this occasion, in addition to providing treatment to reduce the number of cholesterol and uric acid complications, we provide education about a balanced diet,” she said.
Meanwhile, from the results of the dental and oral examination, drg. Benso said that out of a total of 140 patients, the most common problems encountered were tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease with loose and missing teeth. He also found several patients with dentures made by dentists, so some of them experienced infections. “Education is needed so that patients come to the dentist at the health center or hospital. However, health facilities in the area are also constrained because some of the equipment is not very complete and health workers are limited,” he said.
Therefore, drg. Benso suggested that promotive and preventive measures be emphasized more than curative, because the management of treatment costs more. Literacy about dental and oral health can be increased through outreach activities, education, and community cadre formation as the front guard. “If the literacy of dental and oral health of residents here can be achieved, adults can educate their children to adopt a healthy lifestyle, so that the costs for curative and rehabilitative care can be reduced,” said drg. Benso.
I Nyoman Subratha as the Village Head of Geriana Kauh Traditional Village expressed appreciation to UI and all partners who work hard to provide free health services for residents. “UI is on fire! The program that was carried out was extraordinary, not only today, but since 2016, UI has contributed a lot to the residents of Geriana Kauh. This health check-up program is very helpful for the residents, especially for those who are constrained by the cost of going to the hospital. We hope that by being picked up directly like this, the community can be more aware of maintaining their health, especially related to diet and healthy living,” I Nyoman Subratha said.
