The Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), has conducted a community service program titled “The Role of Young Doctors in the Implementation of Preventive Pediatric Pneumonia” at SDN Sekaran 02, Gunungpati, Semarang. Dr. dr led the initiative. Yuni Wijayanti, M.Kes., supported by a team of lecturers—Dr. Eram Tunggul Pawenang, S.KM., M.Kes., and Dr. Arum Siwiendrayanti, S.KM., M.Kes.—as well as students from the Public Health Study Program who played an active role in delivering health education and mentoring. The main target of the activity was elementary school students who are members of the Young Doctors Team (Tim Dokter Kecil), aiming to improve health literacy and equip them with practical skills related to pneumonia prevention in children.
Pneumonia remains a leading cause of child death globally. According to WHO (2023), more than 700,000 children under five die each year from pneumonia, with the majority of cases occurring in developing countries. Elementary school students are considered strategic health promotion agents, as they can absorb knowledge quickly and transfer healthy practices to peers and family members. Through this program, young doctors were provided with knowledge about the causes, risk factors, and early signs of pneumonia, such as persistent cough, high fever, and shortness of breath.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, the students were trained in practical preventive measures and early response strategies. These included ensuring adequate room ventilation, proper handwashing with soap, cough and sneeze etiquette, and avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke. The training also emphasized early detection skills, enabling students to recognize pneumonia symptoms and understand the urgency of seeking medical attention when warning signs appear. With these competencies, the Young Doctors are expected to serve as basic first responders in school and home environments.
Through this program, the Faculty of Medicine UNNES reaffirms its commitment to facilitating academically excellent graduates and socially engaged in advancing public health. Student involvement in the initiative provided dual benefits: enriching their experiential learning while increasing the effectiveness of school-based health education. Looking ahead, the Faculty of Medicine UNNES is committed to expanding community service programs grounded in scientific knowledge and research, focusing on creating measurable improvements in public health, particularly for children as the nation’s future generation.
