Recently, climate change has been a prominent issue. The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) is one of the higher education institutions that aggressively discusses climate change, especially from a public health perspective. Last Thursday, on October 13, 2022, Dr. Milla Herdayati, S.K.M., M.Si., who is the Vice Dean for Resources, Ventures and General Administration of FPH UI, gave a keynote speech in a seminar on the Impact of Climate Change on Reproductive Health organized by Pita Putih Indonesia. Various health and medical organizations were also invited to the seminar.
“Climate change is a serious threat to human security. Various impacts of climate change affect all levels of society all over the world,” said Dr. Milla at the beginning of her keynote speech. Furthermore, Dr. Milla said that the world’s temperature has increased significantly, especially in recent years. One of the impacts of climate change is an increase in sea level that threatens the survival of society. Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, should be aware of this. Another serious impact is the increased potential for natural disasters whose snowball effect is health problems, socio-economic impacts, and death. Currently, the impacts of climate change are more serious than expected. We can feel for ourselves how recently droughts, floods, heatwaves, and so on have been massive.
One of the groups most vulnerable to climate change is women and children. “Climate change also affects reproductive health, specifically the pregnancy process, the fetus, and the baby that is born. Such as pollution or chemicals that affect cases of abortion and premature birth,” added Dr. Milla. Related to this issue, FPH UI already has a Reproductive Health Study Group that will always collaborate and produce studies so that policies can be formed to prevent further adverse effects of climate change on reproductive health.
In another session, Prof. Dr. Budi Haryanto, S.K.M., M.Kes., M.Sc., presented the impact of increased maternal and child health risks on public health and human resource quality. From health and medical organizations, the Chairperson of Pita Putih, Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo; Chairperson of Perkumpulan Budi Kemuliaan, Dr. Nurdadi Saleh, Sp.OG.; Vice Chairperson of Perkumpulan Budi Kemuliaan, Dr. Mohammad Baharuddin, Sp.OG, MARS.; Coordinator for Climate Change Analysis of the Central BMKG, Kadarsah, M.Si.; Dr. Heru P. Kasidi, M.Sc., from Pita Putih Indonesia; Chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association, Dr. Adib Khumaidi, Sp.OT.; Prof. Dr. Budi Wiweko, Sp.OG(K)-FER, MPH from the Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynecology Society; and Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatricians Association, Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K).
This webinar is a small step in raising issues that must continue to be done. In the future, FPH UI together with Pita Putih Indonesia and various other health organizations will continue to speak out, advocate, and study climate change and health. (BK)