FK-KMK UGM. The Center for Policy and Health Management (PKMK) at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully conducted a workshop to evaluate and improve the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Early Warning and Response System (SKDR). Held in the Yudhistira Room at Meliá Purosani Yogyakarta, the event brought together experts and stakeholders to optimize the training program designed to enhance the skills of surveillance officers in detecting potential disease outbreaks early.
The MOOC, implemented on the Plataran Sehat platform provided by the Ministry of Health, was initially trialed in Yogyakarta and West Nusa Tenggara provinces, achieving a participant completion rate of 72.4%. Developed collaboratively by PKMK UGM, the Ministry of Health, WHO, CDC, Safetynet, JICA, and BBPK Ciloto, the training offers flexibility for surveillance officers to enhance their skills anytime, anywhere.
According to Muhammad Fadhil Armen from Safetynet, the MOOC is a tool designed to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers in reporting units, such as community health centers and hospitals, to improve early warning capabilities for disease outbreaks.
“Through online methods, this training program can reach over 12,000 community health centers across Indonesia, making it one of the most extensive programs at the ASEAN level,” Fadhil stated. He emphasized that the training’s online format allows for capacity building without requiring on-site participation, making it both efficient and flexible.
The initial evaluation showed significant improvements in participants’ knowledge, with follow-up assessments indicating strong knowledge retention. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the training’s content and quality.
“We aim to demonstrate that this training not only improves knowledge but can also be implemented effectively in other regions,” said Dr. Muhammad Hardhantyo, MPH, Ph.D., from PKMK UGM. He added that the program has already received over 7,000 access requests from various regions across Indonesia.
Based on these promising results, PKMK UGM and its partners plan to expand the program to more regions, including areas with limited access. The evaluation will guide improvements to the MOOC, ensuring its scalability and effectiveness.
“Our hope is that this evaluation provides a foundation for refining the MOOC to reach more community health centers across Indonesia and maximize its benefits in strengthening early warning systems,” Hardhantyo concluded.
This initiative reflects PKMK UGM’s commitment to leveraging innovative training methods to address health challenges and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). It serves as a significant step toward building a more resilient and inclusive public health system in Indonesia. (Reported by Isroq Adi Subakti).
