The Health Science Faculty at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) tied a collaboration with the Health Service of Semarang to resolve a disease known as Tuberculosis (TB) surrounding the city through the Kedaireka Matching Fund. The collaboration was embodied by conducting a training program, namely Tuberculosis Enumerator Survey, on May 24th, 2023.
Several medical professionals and the Public Health Students made an appearance in the program. The program also featured representatives from the Indonesian National Nurse Association (INNA), which presented insight into how to communicate properly with patients and their families. Additionally, several spokespersons from the Indonesian Environmental Health Professional Association (IEHPA) were present to discuss the environmental measurement applied to patients’ homes with infectious diseases.
The program was opened by Prof. Ir. Zainal Arifin Hasibuan, MLS., Ph.D., the Head of the Center of Excellence at Udinus, and Dr. dr Mochamad Abdul Hakam, Sp. PD. FINASM., a representative from the Health Service of Semarang. The training program took place on the seventh floor of the H building.
Nur Dian Rakhmawati, S.Kep., Ners., MPH., the Head of the INNA of Central Java, presented the first discussion. On that occasion, she explained that every health professional must possess the ability to communicate effectively, and understanding the problem was also a must to educate and give information to TBC patients.
“Additionally, there are also three other components, including speech intonation, body language, and confidence. To gain more trust, we must also be a level higher than the patient,” she emphasized.
After understanding how to communicate effectively, the health professionals would have to conduct the next step, namely measuring the environmental condition of the patient’s home. On that occasion, Saiful Bahri, the Secretary of the IEHPA of Semarang, presented his theories, and how to put those theories into practice. Moreover, health professionals from the local health center also collectively agreed to allow students to try the Sanitarian Kit.
“We often use several sensors in measuring the environmental condition of the patients’ residences, including light sensor, sound sensor, dust sensor, and air sensor. Thus, we could ensure that the environments surrounding the patients are safe,” he uttered.
Students were fairly enthusiastic about the program as they asked various questions surrounding the discussed topic. For every question asked, the speakers would give the participants a voucher as a token of gratitude.
Dr. MG. Catur Yuantari S,KM, M.Kes., the Head of the Public Health Program and the Head of the Funding Team, uttered that he would conduct research involving his students to aid the Health Service of Semarang to develop a system. Those students would conduct a survey to fill the lack of data at the Health Service. Additionally, there would also be a Forum Group Discussion between health centers, local communities, and sub-districts.
“We would like to use this funding to develop an early-warning system to resolve problems surrounding the Tuberculosis disease within Semarang. Furthermore, we will also involve students from the Informatics Department to perfect this system,” he concluded. (Humas Udinus/Haris. Foto: Humas Udinus)
