The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) recently carried out a collaborative visit to several partner universities in Japan. One of them is a visit to Kyushu University on 26-27 July 2023.
FPH UI represented by the Dean, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc.; Deputy Dean for Education, Research and Student Affairs, Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., and Cooperation Manager, Alumni and Venture Relations, Indri Hapsari Susilowati, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D., together with the Institute of Asian and Oceanian Studies, Kyushu University has had a joint research proposal related to surveillance of upper respiratory tract infections in workers in SMEs, how to prevent them, to the development of portable screening instruments.
The topic of this research collaboration is due to climate change which is a direct threat to decreasing environmental air quality and increasing the risk of respiratory diseases. This risk is also of concern to MSME workers (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) who often work in factories with poor ventilation, long working hours, lack of occupational health programs and lack of access to proper health care.
Therefore, it is very important to take steps to mitigate the impact of climate change on respiratory communicable diseases and improve the health and working conditions of MSME workers. This includes raising awareness of respiratory infectious diseases, increasing access to health services, and promoting a safer work environment. In addition, addressing the root causes of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, can help reduce the overall impact on human health.
This research study on surveillance of respiratory infections and occupational health data for MSME workers in urban areas in Indonesia and Thailand is an important contribution to the field of public health. The findings of this study are expected to help inform policy decisions and guide the development of effective interventions to prevent and control respiratory communicable diseases among MSME workers in the two countries. Policy briefs, health system preparedness guidelines, and minimum infrastructure requirements will serve as useful tools for policy makers and health professionals in their efforts to improve the health and well-being of MSME workers in urban areas. This research will also develop a portable screening instrument which will be further developed not only for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections but also for tuberculosis screening.
Apart from Kyushu University, FPH UI also carried out collaborative visits to several partner universities that already had cooperation agreements with UI, namely the University of Occupational and Environmental Health and Nagasaki University. The outline of the collaborative discussions carried out at the university are joint research and publications, visiting professors or faculty exchanges, the possibility to redevelop joint degree programs or sandwich programs for the Public Health Sciences Masters Study Program, and learning to develop a Masters of Public Health for a concentration International Health Development.
“Several FPH lecturers also graduated from universities in Japan. The hope is that with the joint visit to these universities, it can open up more active cooperation in both the educational and non-educational fields. FPH UI students and staff also have greater opportunities to conduct research or exchange to universities in Japan as well as the opportunity to use the advanced laboratory facilities they have,” concluded the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc. (wrk)
