Yogyakarta, February 15, 2025 – Students from the Professional Pharmacist Study Program (PSPA) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully conducted a community service event today at the Elderly School of Kadirojo I Hamlet, Kalasan, Sleman, Yogyakarta. This activity is part of a monthly routine program that has been running since November 2024, under the guidance of Dr. apt. Indah Purwantini, S.Si., M.Si., signifying the Faculty of Pharmacy’s contribution to assisting the community, especially the elderly.
The event began with an elderly exercise session led by Kadirojo I Hamlet’s health cadres, aiming to maintain participants’ fitness and spirits. This was followed by an interactive health talk led by UGM PSPA students on “The Importance of Healthy Eating Patterns and Balanced Lifestyles for the Elderly,” including nutritional recommendations and tips for boosting immunity, complete with a prize quiz. In addition to education, the activity also provided free health check services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, supported by 14 local health cadres. The 81 participating seniors also received brief education and follow-up advice regarding their examination results, given the high prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly. The high enthusiasm of the participants highlighted the importance of such activities in improving health literacy and the quality of life for seniors.
This community service initiative is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It directly supports SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being by providing access to preventive health services, balanced nutrition education, and promoting early disease detection among the elderly. Furthermore, the active involvement of PSPA students in applying pharmaceutical knowledge and building empathy within the community, along with synergy with local health cadres, reflects a commitment to SDG 4, Quality Education through direct learning, and SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, which strengthens cross-sector collaboration in efforts to create healthy, independent, and productive elderly communities.
It is hoped that this program can continue as a concrete example of synergy between educational institutions, health professionals, and the community in striving to create healthy, independent, and productive elderly communities.
Contributors
- Adella Dayinta
- Angelica Elva Mulyadi
- Ernita Aprilla Norsanti
- Esther Florensia Putri
- Fanie Berlian
