Extending Healthcare Beyond Campus: Inclusive Health Outreach for Local, Disadvantaged, and Refugee Communities

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrates its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being through the implementation of inclusive community health outreach programmes addressing the needs of local communities, economically disadvantaged populations, and refugee and immigrant communities. Through its Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and student-led humanitarian initiatives, the University actively connects academic expertise with community healthcare, preventive education, social assistance, and humanitarian protection.

Throughout 2024–2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta implemented programmes encompassing free medical examinations, preventive health screening, medical procedures for economically disadvantaged children, emergency healthcare for disaster-displaced communities, and refugee-focused education addressing barriers to healthcare access. These programmes reflect the University's commitment to the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi, particularly community service, and demonstrate its institutional contribution to improving health awareness, healthcare accessibility, and the well-being of vulnerable populations beyond the campus.

1. Providing Free Medical Screening and Preventive Healthcare for Local Communities

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta actively promotes public health by organising free medical examinations and preventive healthcare programmes accessible to local communities. On 6 February 2025, the Faculty of Medicine organised free health examinations for members of the public during UIN Jakarta Expose 2025. The programme was conducted by qualified medical lecturers using medical examination equipment provided through the Faculty's community-service resources.

Services included body-composition analysis, blood-glucose testing, cholesterol examinations, and uric-acid screening. These examinations enabled participants to better understand their health conditions and identify potential risk factors associated with obesity, metabolic disorders, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. Medical professionals also provided health education explaining the importance of regular check-ups, early detection, preventive healthcare, and healthier lifestyles.

The programme was designed to encourage members of the public to obtain medical information and preventive examinations before health problems develop into more serious conditions. The University's community health initiatives continued during the 80th Indonesian Independence Day celebrations on 17 August 2025, when free medical examinations were again made available to members of the academic community and the general public.

Participants received services including medical interviews, vital-sign examinations, nutritional-status assessments, point-of-care laboratory testing, and medical consultations. These initiatives demonstrate that the University actively implements health outreach beyond its student population by making preventive examinations and health information accessible to members of the surrounding community. Through these programmes, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta provides direct evidence of health outreach to local communities, improving access to preventive healthcare and encouraging early detection of health risks.

2. Delivering Free Medical Services to Economically Disadvantaged Children and Families

The University's health outreach also prioritises populations facing financial and geographical barriers to healthcare. On 20 July 2024, the Social Welfare Study Programme collaborated with the AlHamra Foundation to organise a community assistance and mass-circumcision programme for economically disadvantaged and orphaned children in Kaibon Village, Pontang District, Serang Regency, Banten. The programme provided free circumcision services to 22 children, with procedures performed by three medical doctors.

In addition to medical treatment, children participating in the programme received gifts and financial assistance. The programme also distributed 25 packages of basic necessities and financial contributions to orphaned children from surrounding communities.The initiative directly addressed difficulties experienced by families in obtaining circumcision services because of limited healthcare accessibility and the financial costs associated with the procedure. By bringing medical professionals to the village and providing medical services without charging beneficiaries, the University and its community partners helped reduce barriers to healthcare for low-income households.

The programme combined direct medical intervention with social assistance, demonstrating a community-oriented approach to supporting children's health and the welfare of vulnerable families. This activity demonstrates that Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has implemented health outreach specifically benefiting disadvantaged people by providing direct medical services and essential assistance to children from economically vulnerable households.

3. Supporting Disaster-Affected and Displaced Communities through Emergency Healthcare

The University's commitment to vulnerable populations extends to communities affected by natural disasters and temporary displacement. In March 2025, the Faculty of Health Sciences Disaster Responder Team participated in humanitarian assistance for residents affected by severe flooding in Jatiasih, Bekasi.

University student volunteers worked directly in the affected area to assist displaced residents whose access to food, healthcare, and essential daily services had been disrupted by the disaster. The team participated in community-kitchen operations, distributed food, and provided medical examinations for residents experiencing health problems following the flooding. These activities were implemented to respond to immediate health and humanitarian needs while supporting community recovery.

The programme demonstrated the University's capacity to mobilise student volunteers and healthcare knowledge to assist populations experiencing emergency conditions. Disaster displacement creates additional risks to physical and psychological well-being, especially for children, older adults, low-income families, and individuals with existing health conditions. Through direct involvement in flood-response activities, the University helped improve access to essential assistance for displaced residents during a period of heightened vulnerability. The March 2025 response provides additional evidence of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta's health outreach to disadvantaged and disaster-affected populations through emergency health services and humanitarian assistance.

4. Advancing Refugee and Immigrant Health and Well-Being through Protection Awareness and Humanitarian Collaboration

Beyond its local health interventions, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has also implemented an initiative addressing the health and well-being challenges experienced by international refugees and asylum seekers residing in Indonesia. On 12 June 2025, the International Relations Study Programme of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences organised a public educational programme entitled “Examining the Involvement of Civil Society Organisations in Global Refugee Protection Solidarity.”

The event brought together University academics and representatives of organisations actively involved in protecting and assisting refugees, including SUAKA Indonesia and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Jakarta. The programme addressed the difficulties experienced by international refugee communities in obtaining essential services, with particular attention to healthcare, education, protection, and social inclusion. During the discussion, representatives of SUAKA Indonesia highlighted examples of refugees living in the Greater Jakarta area who encountered barriers when attempting to access basic healthcare and educational services.

These challenges demonstrated how legal, administrative, social, and economic conditions may negatively affect refugee health and well-being. Jesuit Refugee Service Jakarta contributed perspectives from its experience accompanying displaced populations and supporting refugee communities. The discussion also introduced opportunities for students and members of the public to become involved in humanitarian volunteering and community-based refugee assistance. Through this programme, the University promoted awareness of refugees' healthcare needs, encouraged collaboration with organisations providing humanitarian assistance, and strengthened understanding of equitable access to essential health-related services.

The initiative emphasised that the well-being of refugee and immigrant communities requires coordinated efforts among universities, civil society organisations, humanitarian institutions, healthcare providers, and local communities. Although the programme focused on education, humanitarian awareness, and institutional engagement rather than the direct provision of clinical treatment, it addressed important barriers affecting international refugees' access to healthcare.

Through its 2025 refugee-protection programme, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta implemented a documented refugee-focused initiative addressing healthcare access, humanitarian protection, and the broader well-being needs of international displaced populations. This initiative expands the University's community-engagement activities beyond conventional local health interventions and demonstrates its contribution to inclusive health awareness and refugee-related humanitarian collaboration.

5. Integrating Health Outreach across Three Priority Community Groups

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta recognises that different populations encounter different barriers to health and well-being. Accordingly, the University implements complementary health-related programmes addressing three priority groups.

Local Communities

The University provides free medical examinations, preventive healthcare, health-risk screening, health consultations, and public health education. Programmes such as UIN Jakarta Expose 2025 and the Independence Day 2025 free medical examinations demonstrate direct public access to essential preventive healthcare.

Disadvantaged People

The University supports individuals and families facing economic, geographical, and emergency-related barriers to healthcare. Its 2024 mass-circumcision programme in Serang provided direct medical services to children from disadvantaged households, while its 2025 flood-response activities provided health and humanitarian support to vulnerable residents displaced by disasters.

Refugee and Immigrant Communities

The University addresses healthcare-access challenges affecting international refugee communities through humanitarian education, refugee-protection awareness, and engagement with organisations supporting displaced populations. Its June 2025 programme with SUAKA Indonesia and Jesuit Refugee Service Jakarta specifically examined barriers to essential healthcare and strengthened understanding of refugee-related health and protection needs. These activities demonstrate that the University's approach to community health engagement encompasses direct healthcare delivery, preventive education, humanitarian assistance, and advocacy concerning access to essential health services.

6. Institutional Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

The community health programmes implemented by Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta during 2024–2025 demonstrate an institutional commitment to improving health and well-being beyond the campus. Through free medical screening for local communities, clinical services for disadvantaged children, emergency healthcare for disaster-displaced residents, and refugee-focused humanitarian education, the University translates academic expertise into practical community engagement.

Its programmes address both immediate medical needs and the social barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from obtaining appropriate healthcare. The University's initiatives also demonstrate meaningful cooperation among medical professionals, academic departments, student organisations, community foundations, and humanitarian organisations.

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has therefore implemented health-related outreach and community-engagement programmes addressing all three population categories identified under Indicator 3.3.2: Local Communities, Disadvantaged People, and Refugee/Immigrant Communities. The documented activities provide direct evidence of healthcare delivery to local and disadvantaged populations, alongside a refugee-specific initiative promoting awareness of healthcare access and humanitarian protection. By expanding access to health information, reducing financial barriers to essential care, strengthening emergency healthcare support, and encouraging inclusive approaches to refugee health, the University contributes to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

Source :
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