Yogyakarta - The Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) continues its proactive role in addressing climate health resilience through the Summer Course 2024 with the theme "Interprofessional Healthcare – Empowering Communities for Climate Health Resilience."
Held from 28 October to 8 November 2024, the program was initiated by UGM's Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK). Participants included representatives from various countries such as Indonesia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Malta, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Singapore, and India.
Prof. Dr. Gunadi, Ph.D, Sp.BA., Subsp.D.A(K), the program chair, expressed his appreciation for the participants’ active involvement and emphasized the importance of health resilience in the post-pandemic era.
“We have a team dedicated to empowering communities for climate health resilience. Climate change is a pressing issue within the WHO agenda, and one key focus is community resilience in the post-pandemic era,” he explained.
In his opening remarks, FK-KMK UGM Dean, Prof. Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH, highlighted three key aspects for addressing climate change: interprofessional collaboration, climate health resilience, and community empowerment.
The Summer Course involved collaboration between multiple UGM faculties, including the Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Geography. These faculties worked together to strengthen health resilience and climate change mitigation across various sectors.
drg. Rosa Amalia, M.P.H., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at FKG UGM, explained that interprofessional collaboration aims to enhance community resilience through proactive health measures and climate adaptation strategies.
“In dentistry, this involves identifying and addressing oral health challenges caused by climate change, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly,” she added.
FKG UGM contributed to the program by presenting two key speakers. Prof. Dr. Nor Adinar Binti Baharuddin from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, who discussed “Addressing the Impact of Environmental Changes on Oral Health.” and drg. Lisdrianto Hanindriyo, M.P.H., Ph.D , from the Department of Public Health Dentistry at FKG UGM, who presented on “Green Dentistry” as an eco-friendly approach to reduce dentistry’s ecological footprint.
The Summer Course comprised two main phases. First, seminars featuring experts from Singapore, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and the United States, as well as representatives from Indonesia's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Forestry.
Second phase, Fieldwork in Kulon Progo, conducted at various community health centers, including Sentolo I and II, Panjatan II, Wates I, Lendah I, Temon, Pengasih I and II, Nanggulan, and Kalibawang. During the fieldwork, students not only observed but also actively formulated issues, prioritized solutions, and implemented them directly within the community.
This hands-on experience enhanced students’ interdisciplinary collaboration skills while providing tangible benefits to local communities.
Through this interprofessional initiative, FKG UGM aims to inspire students and communities to contribute to environmental and public health, including oral health, amidst the growing challenges of climate change.
The program supports various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequality, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By fostering collaborative, community-driven solutions, the Summer Course 2024 exemplifies UGM's commitment to sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.
Authors: Christia Aye & Pram
