UNAIR NEWS – Participating in community service in remote areas is a valuable experience for students during their studies. Asriani Muflihah, a master’s student in Environmental Health at the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), has got this opportunity. Muflihah joined a volunteer program organized by the Bakti Berkarya untuk Bangsa (BARAKARSA) Indonesia Foundation from January 17 to January 30, 2026.
Together with 30 volunteers from diverse backgrounds, she was deployed to Selamon Village, Central Maluku Regency. She carried out community service programs focusing on health and the environment. Muflihah stated that she was part of the Health and Environment Division and received an award as the best volunteer in her division.
“I have always been interested in community service activities, especially those conducted in remote areas of Indonesia. I realize that Indonesia is vast, and many people in remote regions still have limited access to education and healthcare,” she explained.
Community health service
Muflihah explained that one of the flagship programs she implemented was Community Health Service. The program provided free medical check-ups for residents of Selamon Village. It also involved medical professionals and was supported by adequate medical supplies based on residents’ health complaints.
“We conducted cholesterol, blood sugar, and other health checks. Our division included medical professionals and was equipped with various medicines to be distributed according to residents’ conditions. The community showed high enthusiasm, as evidenced by the attendance of 80 residents who utilized the service,” she added.
Beyond general healthcare services, Muflihah and her team also targeted adolescents through the Preventing Anemia in Adolescents (CEMARA) program. “The CEMARA program specifically targeted female students of SMPN 58 Maluku. It aimed to provide education on anemia, as adolescent girls are more vulnerable to the condition. Therefore, it is important for them to understand anemia and iron supplementation from an early age as a preventive measure,” she explained.
Strengthening education
Based on the examination results, the team found that hypertension was the most common health issue among residents of Selamon Village. “This should be a concern, especially since Selamon Village is a coastal area where dietary patterns are closely associated with high-salt foods such as salted fish or preserved seafood,” she stated.
According to her, strengthening education on healthy lifestyles is essential, particularly in reducing salt intake, increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits, and encouraging regular physical activity. “Community-based promotive and preventive approaches are crucial so that people not only seek treatment when they are ill but also develop long-term awareness to maintain their health,” she concluded.
Author: Mohammad Adif Albarado Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
