Barru — The Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK), Muhammadiyah University of Makassar (Unismuh), held a training session on producing instant herbal powder for the residents of Kupa Village, Barru Regency. The activity, which was combined with a free health check-up and social service on the coast of Kupa Beach, took place over three days, from October 24–26, 2025.

The training was officially opened by apt. Wira Yustika Rukman, S.Farm., M.Kes., Secretary of the Pharmacy Study Program, and attended by apt. Nurfadillah, S.Farm., M.Si., Head of the Undergraduate Pharmacy Study Program at FKIK Unismuh, as well as the Head of Kupa Village. The main speaker was apt. Zulfahmi Hamka, S.Farm., M.Si., accompanied by a team of pharmacy lecturers.

The training aimed to empower coastal communities to utilize local medicinal plants as economically valuable products, particularly instant herbal powder. According to Wira Yustika, this activity was also part of the Phytochemistry Field Practice (PKL) conducted by Unismuh’s undergraduate pharmacy students.

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“We want the community not only to recognize medicinal plants but also to be able to process them into ready-to-use, marketable products,” said apt. Wira Yustika Rukman, S.Farm., M.Kes., during the opening ceremony

In addition to the training, the event included a free health check-up for local residents, led by Mr. Furqan, a lecturer from the Nursing Study Program, along with pharmacy lecturers and students from Unismuh. The team provided blood pressure and glucose level checks as well as basic health consultations for coastal residents.

Wira added that the program represents the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, namely community service through the practical application of pharmaceutical science that directly benefits the public. She noted that the residents’ enthusiasm was high, as the training provided new skills that could be developed independently.

As the main speaker, apt. Zulfahmi Hamka, S.Farm., M.Si., explained the process of making instant herbal powder using simple and hygienic methods. He demonstrated drying, grinding, and mixing natural ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, and curcuma.

“We want the community to produce quality herbal products without relying on modern equipment. What matters most is understanding the process and maintaining the cleanliness of the ingredients,” said Zulfahmi Hamka.

Zulfahmi expressed hope that the training would open opportunities for small-scale businesses based on local herbal resources. He emphasized the importance of basic pharmaceutical knowledge to ensure the products are safe and meet health standards. According to him, this activity bridges the gap between academia and the community, allowing students to apply phytochemistry theory in real-world settings.

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Meanwhile, the Head of Kupa Village expressed appreciation for Unismuh’s initiative and concern for coastal residents. He said that this type of program not only raises health awareness but also creates new economic opportunities.

“We are grateful to Unismuh Makassar. This training not only broadens knowledge but also opens the minds of our residents to become more productive,” he stated.

Beyond the training and health checks, the program also included a beach clean-up, involving students, lecturers, and local residents. The activity symbolized collaboration between the university and the community in maintaining the cleanliness of the coastal environment

“We want this activity to become a regular agenda so that communities in other regions can also benefit from it,” she said.

According to apt. Nurfadillah, S.Farm., M.Si., Head of the Undergraduate Pharmacy Study Program at FKIK Unismuh, the activity aligns with the program’s vision to produce competent pharmacy graduates with strong social awareness. She emphasized the importance of synergy between students, lecturers, and the community in developing local potential.

In a separate interview, Nurfadillah added that such community service programs would continue to be held regularly in various coastal areas of South Sulawesi.

One of the participants, Mr. Naba, said the training was very helpful. He now understands how to process herbal ingredients into instant powder drinks that can be marketed locally. Several residents are even planning to start producing instant ginger powder at home.

“We usually just boil ginger for drinks. Now we can turn it into powder and package it — this is a great opportunity,” said Naba enthusiastically.

The herbal powder training, free health check-up, and social service activities in Kupa Village, Barru Regency, are expected to serve as a model for community empowerment based on pharmaceutical knowledge. Unismuh Makassar is committed to continuing similar programs to strengthen the economic independence of local communities through herbal innovation.

“We hope this program doesn’t stop here. There will be follow-up assistance and further training,” concluded apt. Wira Yustika Rukman, S.Farm., M.Kes.

PKL FITOKIMIA KUPA BEACH

Pelatihan Serbuk Herbal Warnai Pengabdian Masyarakat di Desa Kupa

BARRU — Program Studi (Prodi) Farmasi Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan (FKIK) Universitas Muhammadiyah (Unismuh) Makassar menggelar pelatihan pembuatan serbuk instan herbal bagi masyarakat Desa Kupa, Kabupaten Barru. Kegiatan yang dirangkaikan dengan pemeriksaan kesehatan gratis dan bakti sosial di pesisir Pantai Kupa ini berlangsung selama tiga hari, 24–26 Oktober 2025.

Pelatihan dibuka secara resmi oleh Sekretaris Prodi Farmasi, apt. Wira Yustika Rukman, S.Farm., M.Kes., dan dihadiri oleh Kaprodi S1 Farmasi FKIK Unismuh, apt. Nurfadillah, S.Farm., M.Si., serta Kepala Desa Kupa. Kegiatan menghadirkan narasumber utama apt. Zulfahmi Hamka, S.Farm., M.Si., bersama tim dosen farmasi lainnya.

Pelatihan ini bertujuan memberdayakan masyarakat pesisir dalam memanfaatkan tanaman obat lokal menjadi produk bernilai ekonomi, khususnya serbuk instan herbal. Menurut Wira Yustika, kegiatan ini juga menjadi bagian dari rangkaian Praktik Kerja Lapangan (PKL) Fitokimia mahasiswa S1 Farmasi FKIK Unismuh.

“Kami ingin masyarakat tidak hanya mengenal tanaman obat, tapi juga mampu mengolahnya menjadi produk siap saji yang bernilai jual,” ujar apt. Wira Yustika Rukman S.Farm., M.Kes  dalam sambutannya saat pembukaan.

Selain pelatihan, kegiatan sosial ini mencakup pemeriksaan kesehatan gratis bagi warga sekitar Yang di pimpin langsung Oleh Pak Furqan salah satu Dosen prodi  Keperawatan bersma tim dosen Farmasi Unismuh dan Tim Mahasiswa farmasi mendata dan  memeriksa tekanan darah, kadar gula, serta memberikan konsultasi kesehatan dasar kepada masyarakat pesisir.

Wira menambahkan bahwa kegiatan ini juga merupakan bentuk implementasi Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi, yaitu pengabdian kepada masyarakat melalui penerapan ilmu farmasi yang bermanfaat langsung. Ia menyebutkan, antusiasme warga sangat tinggi karena pelatihan memberikan keterampilan baru yang bisa dikembangkan secara mandiri.

Sebagai narasumber utama, apt. Zulfahmi Hamka, S.Farm., M.Si., menjelaskan proses pembuatan serbuk instan herbal dengan metode sederhana dan higienis. Ia mempraktikkan langsung tahapan pengeringan, penumbukan, serta pencampuran bahan alami seperti jahe, temulawak, dan kunyit.

“Kami ingin masyarakat mampu menghasilkan produk herbal berkualitas tanpa bergantung pada alat modern. Yang penting adalah pemahaman proses dan menjaga kebersihan bahan,” kata Zulfahmi Hamka.

Zulfahmi menuturkan, pelatihan ini diharapkan dapat membuka peluang usaha kecil berbasis bahan herbal lokal. Ia juga menekankan pentingnya pengetahuan dasar farmasi agar produk yang dihasilkan aman dan sesuai standar kesehatan.

Menurutnya, kegiatan ini menjadi jembatan antara dunia akademik dan masyarakat. Mahasiswa tidak hanya belajar teori fitokimia di kelas, tetapi juga menerapkannya dalam situasi nyata di lapangan.

Sementara itu, Kepala Desa Kupa menyampaikan apresiasi atas inisiatif Unismuh yang peduli terhadap masyarakat pesisir. Ia menyebut kegiatan semacam ini membantu meningkatkan kesadaran warga tentang kesehatan sekaligus membuka peluang ekonomi baru.

“Kami berterima kasih kepada Unismuh Makassar. Pelatihan ini bukan hanya menambah ilmu, tapi juga membuka wawasan masyarakat agar lebih produktif,” ujarnya.

Selain pelatihan dan pemeriksaan kesehatan, kegiatan ini juga diisi dengan bakti sosial berupa pembersihan pantai yang melibatkan mahasiswa, dosen, dan warga. Aksi tersebut menjadi simbol kolaborasi antara kampus dan masyarakat dalam menjaga kebersihan lingkungan pesisir.

Menurut apt. Nurfadillah, S.Farm., M.Si., selaku Kaprodi S1 Farmasi FKIK Unismuh, kegiatan ini sejalan dengan visi program studi untuk menghasilkan lulusan yang berkompeten dalam ilmu farmasi dan memiliki kepedulian sosial tinggi. Ia menegaskan pentingnya sinergi antara mahasiswa, dosen, dan masyarakat dalam mengembangkan potensi lokal.

Dalam wawancara terpisah, Nurfadillah menambahkan bahwa kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat seperti ini akan terus digelar secara berkelanjutan di berbagai daerah pesisir di Sulawesi Selatan. “Kami ingin kegiatan ini menjadi agenda rutin agar masyarakat di daerah lain juga merasakan manfaatnya,” tuturnya.

Bapak Naba, salah satu warga peserta pelatihan, mengaku sangat terbantu dengan kegiatan tersebut. Ia mengatakan kini memahami cara mengolah bahan herbal menjadi serbuk siap minum yang bisa dijual secara lokal. Beberapa warga bahkan sudah berencana mencoba memproduksi serbuk jahe instan di rumah.

“Biasanya kami hanya tahu rebus jahe untuk minum. Sekarang bisa dibuat bubuk dan dikemas, ini peluang bagus,” kata Naba dengan antusias.

Kegiatan pelatihan, pemeriksaan kesehatan, dan bakti sosial di Desa Kupa, Kabupaten Barru ini diharapkan menjadi model pemberdayaan masyarakat berbasis pengetahuan farmasi. Unismuh Makassar berkomitmen untuk terus memperluas program serupa guna memperkuat kemandirian ekonomi masyarakat melalui inovasi herbal lokal.

“Kami berharap kegiatan ini tidak berhenti di sini. Akan ada tindak lanjut berupa pendampingan dan pelatihan lanjutan,” tutup apt. Wira Yustika Rukman., S.Farm., M.Kes