Depok, April 2, 2026 – The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) once again organized a workshop titled Legal and Policy Approaches to Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention: A Multidisciplinary Perspective. The event was held in a hybrid format at the Doctoral Promotion Room, Building G, FPH UI, and via Zoom Meetings, attended by 25 onsite participants and 61 online participants.
Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, the Faculty of Public Health Universitas Indonesia, the Faculty of Law Universitas Indonesia, and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) brought together public health and legal perspectives in an intensive workshop. This initiative aimed to strengthen the role of strategic policies in combating the threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and to support the creation of a healthier Indonesia through a strong regulatory framework.
The seminar was officially opened by the Vice Dean for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs of FPH UI, Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc. In his remarks, Prof. Besral emphasized that individuals and communities are often exposed for years to risk factors such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and stress, yet only become aware of their illnesses after complications from non-communicable diseases occur. Therefore, a more comprehensive approach through policy and legal instruments is needed to create healthier environments.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. drg. Sandra Fikawati, M.P.H., explained that Indonesia is currently experiencing an epidemiological transition. “Approximately 70 percent of deaths in Indonesia are caused by non-communicable diseases, making it essential to strengthen the legal framework in order to create a healthier future,” she explained.
The discussion and case study analysis on NCD prevention were moderated by Khoirul Anwar, S.Gz., M.Si. In his facilitation, the moderator encouraged the integration of perspectives from various academic backgrounds to formulate practical recommendations. As he stated, the ultimate goal of the forum was to transform theoretical understanding into practical solutions capable of strengthening Indonesia’s health policy framework.
The session was enriched by the presence of several expert speakers who comprehensively addressed NCD issues from their respective academic perspectives. The diversity of expertise among the speakers ensured that every issue was discussed multidimensionally, with arguments grounded in strong scientific evidence.
dr. Fatimah S. Sigit, M.Res., Ph.D., the first speaker of the workshop, explained that unhealthy lifestyles are a major factor behind the increasing prevalence of NCDs. She emphasized that behavioral change must be supported by conducive environments. “Non-communicable diseases are actually preventable because their risk factors originate from modifiable lifestyles,” said dr. Fatimah. Meanwhile, Wahyu Kurnia Yusrin Putra, S.K.M., M.K.M., highlighted the challenges of implementing nutrition policies in Indonesia. “We often consider food choices to be an individual responsibility, even though those choices are shaped by systems, including industry and policy,” he stated.
From a social perspective, Prof. Dr. Bambang Shergi Laksmono, M.Sc., emphasized the importance of equity in health policies. He stressed that the right to health must be guaranteed for all members of society without exception. Meanwhile, Djarot Dimas Ahmad Andaru, S.H., M.H., explained that the main challenge lies in policy implementation. He asserted that regulations must address public needs without creating inequality.
Beyond theoretical discussions, participants actively examined real-world issues, ranging from childhood obesity and increasingly sedentary lifestyles to healthcare financing strategies for NCD patients. The common thread throughout the discussions emphasized that NCD prevention is a collective responsibility. A multisectoral approach that bridges medical perspectives, strong legal frameworks, and social support is key to addressing today’s health challenges.
FPH UI and its organizing partners hope that this workshop will become a turning point for strengthening NCD prevention policies in Indonesia. By integrating principles of equity with strong evidence-based approaches, the initiative is expected to generate regulatory solutions capable of effectively and sustainably addressing future health challenges. (EAR)