Online Seminar Series 27: The Role of Government and Public Health Nutrition in Mitigating Efforts to Mitigate the COVID-19 Virus Omicron XBB Subvariant

Saturday, December 17, 2022, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) held the 27th Series Online Seminar with the theme “The Role of Government and Public Health Nutrition in Mitigation Efforts to Mitigate the COVID-19 Virus Omicron XBB Subvariant”. The seminar which was held through the Zoom Meeting received very high enthusiasm. Followed by 900 registrants who came from students, academics, as well as professionals in the fields of nutrition and disaster. “It is hoped that this online seminar can encourage us to jointly play an active role in efforts to tackle nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering that this problem will always be relevant,” said the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., in his opening remarks.

The first material regarding conditions of disaster vulnerability in Indonesia and risk mitigation in the field of nutrition and health during the COVID-19 pandemic was delivered by the Head of the Disaster Nutrition Department of the Indonesian Nutritionist Association (PERSAGI), Anang Subur, S.K.M., M.P.H. Indonesia is a country with a high Disaster Risk Index due to high hazard and vulnerability, as well as low capacity. Realizing this, the government already has a law regarding disaster, namely Law no. 24 of 2007. During a disaster, a nutritionist has an important role in disaster nutrition services, which includes menu preparation, nutrition consultation, and education. “There are 14 health services in emergency response conditions, one of which is nutrition services,” said Anang.

Meanwhile, material regarding the role of Nutrition Graduates (Nutritionists) in handling emergency/disaster nutrition during a pandemic was delivered by FPH UI alumni who is also the Initiator of the Oky Learning Class, Oky Setyarso, S.K.M., M.K.M. Oky said that alumni of the Nutrition Study Program can work anywhere, from the government, nutritionists, companies, humanitarian organizations, even entrepreneurs and writers. Especially during crises/disasters, there are many opportunities for nutrition alumni to contribute. In her presentation, Oky conveyed her many interesting experiences in the field of disaster nutrition.

The last material was delivered by the RedR Indonesia Training Coordinator, Wiwit Prasetyono, S.I.P., M.Glob. Broadly speaking, there are 3 (three) things that Wiwit conveyed, namely cross-sectoral collaboration in public health programs during a pandemic, innovation-based health and nutrition programs during a pandemic, and the role of humanitarian agencies in COVID-19 mitigation efforts, especially the Omicron XBB subvariant. “Humanitarian actors, including volunteers, and coordination forums should work together in handling the pandemic,” said Wiwit.

This webinar is a form of FPH UI’s active participation as a public health educator. Going forward, FPH UI is committed to continuing to carry out similar activities as a forum for discussion and efforts to educate the community. (BK)