On June 12, 2024, the Faculty of Biology UGM organized a community service activity on Know Your Status for Thalassemia and Inspect Your Environment for Mosquito Larvae at the Mrican Hamlet Hall. The event was attended by the Head of the PKK of Mrican Hamlet, Mrs. Nur Handayani, along with 35 members. The education was delivered by Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc., Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti WA., DAP&E, M.Biomed, and Nur Indah Septiani, S.Si., Ph.D, accompanied by students Nur Farah Susilowati, Ahmad Aris Budi R., Kotimah, and Irfan Putra Ramadhan.
The education session on Know Your Status for Thalassemia aimed to provide an understanding of thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder that often shows no symptoms. Dr. Niken explained the likelihood of thalassemia appearing in a family if either one or both parents are carriers of the trait. Therefore, screening for thalassemia in productive couples, prospective brides and grooms, and teenagers is essential. The Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Department of Clinical Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FKKMK-UGM), will facilitate screening for productive couples and prospective brides and grooms at no cost.
Additionally, due to unpredictable weather changes and the rising cases of Dengue Fever (DBD), vigilance against this disease is necessary. The education session on “Inspect Your Environment for Mosquito Larvae” is a preventive measure to stop the mosquito vectors that cause Dengue Fever from breeding. Dengue Fever caused by the Dengue virus and transmitted through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, both of which bite indoors and outdoors. Therefore, controlling mosquito breeding sites (PSN) in residential environments is crucial to prevent the mosquitoes from multiplying.
This health education initiative reflects the Faculty of Biology UGM commitment to supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.