Takalar — Efforts to enhance health literacy through technology continue to be promoted by universities across Indonesia. A team of lecturers from the Pharmacy Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah (Unismuh) Makassar, in collaboration with the Alliance of Private University Lecturers of Indonesia (ADPERTISI), conducted a community service program in Paddinging Village, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday, July 10, 2025.

Carrying the theme “Enhancing Health Literacy through the Digitalization of Herbal and Emergency Education”, the program was designed to raise community awareness on the safe use of local herbal medicine and the proper handling of medical emergencies.

“We see great potential in the digitalization of health education, especially in areas like Takalar that are increasingly connected to digital information. Educating about local herbal plants, combined with emergency response training, can improve preparedness and community self-reliance,” said apt. Suhartini, S.Farm., M.Tr.Adm.Kes., Head of the Lecturer Community Service Team.

During the program, villagers received training on identifying medicinal plants, safe and hygienic processing techniques, and hands-on emergency response practices, such as first aid for wounds, shortness of breath, and burns.

The demonstration session was led by apt. Zulfahmi Hamka, S.Farm., M.Si., who showcased how to prepare herbal drinks using guava leaves as a complementary therapy for acute diarrhea—one of the common emergencies in rural areas.

The educational content was also made available in digital format through an official website, allowing broader access to the public, especially the youth who are active on social media. This initiative aims to ensure that health knowledge extends beyond training rooms and spreads through digital platforms.

This program is part of the implementation of the Catur Dharma (Four Pillars) of Higher Education, particularly in the field of community service. It is hoped that through this blend of technology and local wisdom, communities will become more aware of the importance of health, and more responsive and self-reliant in emergency situations.

Takalar — Upaya meningkatkan literasi kesehatan berbasis teknologi terus digalakkan oleh kalangan perguruan tinggi. Tim dosen Program Studi Farmasi Universitas Muhammadiyah (Unismuh) Makassar yang tergabung dalam Aliansi Dosen Perguruan Tinggi Swasta Seluruh Indonesia (ADPERTISI), menggelar program pengabdian masyarakat di Desa Paddinging, Kabupaten Takalar, Sulawesi Selatan, Rabu, 10 Juli 2025.

Mengangkat tema “Meningkatkan Literasi Kesehatan melalui Digitalisasi Edukasi Herbal dan Kegawatdaruratan”, kegiatan ini dirancang untuk memberikan pemahaman kepada masyarakat mengenai pengelolaan kesehatan berbasis tanaman herbal lokal yang aman, serta penanganan awal kondisi kegawatdaruratan medis secara tepat.

“Kami melihat potensi besar dalam digitalisasi edukasi kesehatan, khususnya di daerah seperti Takalar yang mulai terkoneksi dengan informasi digital. Edukasi mengenai tanaman herbal lokal yang dikombinasikan dengan pelatihan kegawatdaruratan dapat meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan dan kemandirian warga,” ujar apt. Suhartini, S.Farm., M.Tr.Adm.Kes., Ketua Tim Pengabdian Dosen.

Dalam kegiatan tersebut, warga mendapatkan pelatihan mengenai pengenalan tanaman herbal, teknik pengolahan yang aman dan higienis, serta praktik penanganan kegawatdaruratan, mulai dari pertolongan pertama pada luka, sesak napas, hingga luka bakar.

Sesi demonstrasi dipandu oleh apt. Zulfahmi Hamka, S.Farm., M.Si., yang mempraktikkan cara membuat minuman herbal dari daun jambu biji sebagai terapi komplementer untuk diare akut, salah satu kondisi gawat darurat yang kerap terjadi di pedesaan.

Informasi yang disampaikan juga disiapkan dalam bentuk digital melalui situs web resmi, agar dapat diakses secara luas oleh masyarakat, khususnya kalangan muda yang aktif di media sosial. Langkah ini dimaksudkan agar pengetahuan tentang kesehatan tidak berhenti di ruang pelatihan, tetapi menyebar melalui kanal digital yang tersedia.

Program ini menjadi bagian dari implementasi Catur Dharma Perguruan Tinggi, khususnya dalam bidang pengabdian kepada masyarakat. Harapannya, melalui pendekatan berbasis teknologi dan kearifan lokal, masyarakat semakin sadar akan pentingnya kesehatan, serta mampu bersikap tanggap dan mandiri dalam menghadapi situasi darurat.