Universitas Andalas Provides Health Services and Medicine Use Education for Disaster-Affected Residents in Support of SDG 3 and SDG 11

Universitas Andalas has demonstrated its concern for disaster-affected communities by providing health services and medicine use education for residents of Batu Busuak, Lambung Bukit Subdistrict, Pauh District, Padang City. This humanitarian action is in line with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which emphasizes access to healthcare services for communities, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which promotes community resilience in facing disasters and supporting post-disaster recovery.

In response to the disaster that struck the area, Universitas Andalas established an emergency response post and opened health services for affected residents, especially vulnerable groups with limited access to medical care. Through this program, the Universitas Andalas team provided direct healthcare services on site while also distributing assistance to the affected community.

In addition to providing medical check-ups and medicines, the team also educated residents on the proper use of medication. This educational component became an important part of the healthcare services delivered, particularly for elderly people and children, to ensure that treatment would be both safe and effective. The team emphasized that the assistance provided was not limited to medicines alone, but also included guidance so that residents could understand how to use medication according to their needs.

Universitas Andalas Rector, Efa Yonnedi, Ph.D., expressed his concern over the disaster that affected the people of Batu Busuak and hoped that the assistance provided would help ease the community’s burden. He also stressed that Universitas Andalas would continue to be present in the area over the coming days through its emergency response post, with a focus on healthcare services as well as trauma healing activities for children and other vulnerable groups.

Based on preliminary data received by Universitas Andalas, a total of 165 households have been recorded as beneficiaries of the emergency response program. This effort reflects the role of higher education institutions in carrying out community service, especially when communities are facing emergency conditions caused by disasters.

Through this initiative, Universitas Andalas has not only delivered medical assistance, but also accompanied the community in the process of post-disaster health recovery. The presence of the health team and the medicine use education program is expected to help accelerate community recovery while also strengthening resilience against the impacts of future disasters.