Engaging East Lombok: Exploring Climate Change's Impact on Health

• By Admin
• Senin, 26 Februari 2024

In a collaborative effort between the Koneksi Research Team from Udayana University's Master's and Bachelor's Programs in Public Health and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Mataram, a dynamic discussion on climate change and its implications for health took place from February 23rd to 25th, 2024.

This workshop brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, implementers, and community representatives, all invested in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in East Lombok District. Participants included key figures from the District Health Office, Agriculture Department, Disaster Management Agency, Public Works Department, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Environmental Department, Regional Planning Agency, as well as leaders from three Sub-districts. Alongside them were representatives from 10 Community Health Centers (Puskesmas), environmental NGOs, community leaders, farmers, and individuals directly affected by climate change.

Discussions were structured around vulnerability assessment, policy analysis, resource capacity evaluation, service provision assessment, and brainstorming innovative solutions. The interactive nature of these discussions, facilitated by the Unram/Unud Koneksi team, encouraged a fruitful exchange of ideas. With participants' consent, the insights gleaned from these discussions were meticulously recorded for future reference.

The smooth execution of the event was a testament to the meticulous preparation undertaken by the research team, which included instrument preparation and aligning perceptions through online dialogues between Udayana and Unram team. In addition to the focus group discussions, quantitative data related to climate change were gathered from various sources, such as Statistics Indonesia, the Environmental Department, and climate data repositories. Moreover, in-depth interviews with policy stakeholders enriched the understanding of the complex interplay between climate change and health in the region. 

Through this collaborative endeavor, stakeholders, implementers, and communities came together to address the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on health, paving the way for informed decision-making and innovative solutions tailored to the needs of East Lombok District.