Bangkok, Thailand – August 17-18, 2024 – The Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Diponegoro (FKM Undip) made a significant mark as the only Indonesian participant at the prestigious One Health Conference organized by the International Student One Health Alliance (ISOHA). Held in vibrant Bangkok, Thailand, this dynamic conference provided a platform for students and professionals from various disciplines to converge and delve into One Health principles, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration to tackle global health challenges.
This year’s conference theme, “One Health International in Action,” underscored the integration of human, animal, and environmental health. It featured a wide range of critical topics, including ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, strategies for addressing emerging infectious diseases, climate change impacts on health, and youth engagement in global health. Other discussions covered rabies elimination, antimicrobial resistance, women’s empowerment, and the economics of One Health, emphasizing investment in global well-being.
The conference also addressed Southeast Asia-specific issues, such as emerging infectious diseases, vector-borne diseases, and the role of traditional medicine. Discussions on biodiversity conservation, food security, and challenges related to water, sanitation, and health in the region provided valuable regional perspectives on implementing One Health.
The event boasted a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Dr. Muhammed Usman Zaheer from FAO Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Charlotte Hicks, Senior Technical Officer at Nature-Based Solutions, and Dr. Richard Brown from WHO Thailand. These experts shared deep insights and practical experiences across various One Health dimensions.
A highlight of the conference was Dr. Ir. Martini, M.Kes from FKM Undip’s presentation titled “Comprehensive Consolidation of The One Health System in DHF Control Through A Community-Based Approach.” Dr. Martini showcased the success of consolidating the One Health system through a community-based approach in controlling Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Semarang City. This presentation not only demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach but also recommended applying One Health principles to control other zoonotic diseases.
Moreover, 11 students from FKM Undip, representing diverse fields such as Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Epidemiology and Environmental Health, also presented their research findings. The first group, led by Siti Rahayu, discussed “Mapping the Climate Variability Impact on Leptospirosis Transmission in Semarang City: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis.” The second group, led by Lulu Laely Ramdany, presented “Determinants of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Prevention Behavior in Santri (Study at the Darut Taqwa Islamic Boarding School).” The third group, headed by Philomena Larasati Adilasari, shared insights on “Performance of Larva Monitoring Cadres During the Pandemic in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.”
FKM Undip’s participation in this conference highlights the faculty’s commitment to global health and the promotion of One Health as an effective strategy for disease control. The conference also provided valuable opportunities for FKM Undip to share knowledge, expand networks, and contribute to global health solutions.
