One of the community service activities by the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the University of Indonesia (UI), led by Prof. Dr. Dra. Evi Martha, M.Kes., has implemented the successful health tourism program again, which was previously conducted in Buleleng, Bali, in 2022. This year, the innovative program was carried out in Pulau Tidung Village, Seribu Islands Regency, DKI Jakarta, on August 20-21, 2024, through the 2024 Community Service and Empowerment Grant Program from the DPPM UI.
This program draws upon the success and breakthroughs achieved in Munduk Village and aligns with the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in advancing health tourism, as outlined in the Joint Decree of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency and the Minister of Health Number SK/13/HK.01.02/MK/2022 and Number HK.01.08/MENKES/637/2022 concerning the Guidelines for Organizing Health Tourism in Indonesia. The FPH UI team leveraged this national policy momentum by integrating the local values of the Seribu Islands, such as the ‘Daya Bersehaty’ movement (Cultural Preservation, Cleanliness, Health, and Smiles), through the Healthy Preservation Ambassador (Duta PESAT) Training Program for Pulau Tidung.
The application of public health knowledge in the tourism sector must ensure the health and safety of visitors, improve the image of tourist destinations, and prevent the spread of diseases. This approach involves engaging tourism practitioners, the community, and relevant stakeholders. It is hoped that this program will increase awareness and knowledge among all parties and impact the tourism business in complying with health regulations and providing safe and satisfactory services for tourists.
The Duta Pelestari Sehat (PESAT) training was held at the Pulau Tidung Village Hall, involving 24 participants from various local community groups, including community leaders, youth organizations, tour guides, travel agents, boat captains, accommodation managers, health cadres, vendors, and fishermen. The training aimed to enhance the participants’ skills as Duta PESAT and improve their knowledge of applying health principles in the tourism industry. This program was conducted in collaboration with the Seribu Islands Health Sub-Department (Sudinkes), the Seribu Islands Tourism and Creative Economy Sub-Department (Sudin Parekraf), Pulau Tidung Village, the South Seribu Islands Health Center, and the Cakrawala Tidung Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis).
On the first day of the training, participants engaged in discussions with experts, including Muhammad Rudi A.R., S.K.M., Head of the Administrative Subdivision of the South Seribu Islands Health Center, discussing public health conditions and threats in Pulau Tidung; Dedy Rustam Simanjutak, S.H., Head of the Tourism Industry Division of Sudin Parekraf, on the potential for tourism and its integration with health aspects; Naurah Assyifa Rilfi, S.K.M., an FPH UI alumna, who discussed the role of Duta PESAT as change agents; and Prof. Dr. Dra. Evi Martha, M.Kes., the head of the community service team, who explained the action plan (RTL) for the activities from each community group.
On the second day, the activity focused on continued discussions and the creation of agreements on the RTL to ensure the sustainability of the program. The agreed-upon RTLs included: 1) The Cadre group agreed on household waste sorting, family medicinal plants, and hydroponics; 2) The Vendors group established hand-washing stations at the Jembatan Cinta food stalls (tourist site) and promoted healthy eateries; 3) The Guides and Travel Agents group agreed to educate about the importance of having first aid kits, implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for water sports safety, and providing technical guidance about the history of Pulau Tidung for the guides; 4) The Youth Group planned environmental awareness campaigns on social media, beach cleaning activities, RPTRA maintenance, and the Tidung Funbike event; 5) The Accommodation Managers group agreed to display posters on the importance of cleanliness and safety at accommodations; 6) The Fishermen group focused on maintaining port cleanliness and educating on SOPs for fishermen’s safety; 7) The Boat Captains group created workplace safety posters for the boats; 8) The Community Leaders group proposed a health tourism religious package and technical guidance for religious health tourism guides.
Through the participation of various community groups and stakeholders, the team leader, Prof. Dr. Dra. Evi Martha, M.Kes., and the entire team consisting of FPH UI graduate students, Ulfi Hida Zainita, S.K.M.; Dewi Safitri, S.Si.; Ika Fitri Alfiani, S.K.M.; and public health alumna Naurah Assyifa Rilfi, S.K.M., hope that this program can be sustainable and supported and monitored by the local government. One form of support includes monitoring the development through a digital communication platform over the next 1-2 months. This program is expected to provide economic benefits and preserve the Pulau Tidung ecosystem through the application of health and sustainable tourism principles.