Unsri School of Public Health Empowers Health Cadres to Prevent Pulmonary Tuberculosis Through Creative Education at the Palembang Reading Garden Community Health Center

Tuberculosis (TB) cases remain a serious threat to public health, particularly in densely populated areas such as the city of Palembang. Although free TB treatment services are available, transmission rates remain quite high, especially among smear-positive cases, which have dominated throughout the 2020–2024 period.

Recognizing the importance of community health workers as the frontline of prevention in the community, the Faculty of Public Health at Sriwijaya University (FKM Unsri) carried out a community service program titled “Empowering Health Volunteers in Pulmonary TB Prevention Education Through TB Modules and Flipcharts in the Palembang Taman Bacaan Community Health Center (Puskesmas) Area” on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Led by Dr. Haerawati Idris, S.K.M., M.Kes, this initiative aims to enhance the capacity of Posyandu volunteers to provide education, early detection, and support to residents at risk of TB within the service area of the Taman Bacaan Community Health Center, which includes the neighborhoods of Tangga Takat, Enam Belas Ulu, and Sentosa, covering an area of approximately 987 hectares.

A total of 25 volunteers enthusiastically participated in the training. The event began with opening remarks from a representative of the Unsri School of Public Health, Asmaripa Ainy, S.Si., M.Kes, and was officially opened by the Head of the Taman Bacaan Community Health Center, drg. Muhammad Erwan Naupal.

The main material was presented by Dr. Haerawati using an interactive presentation method accompanied by educational videos. To measure the effectiveness of the training, participants took pre- and post-tests, and the session concluded with educational games designed to boost the volunteers’ enthusiasm.

Through this activity, the health volunteers were provided with learning modules and TB educational flipcharts designed to be engaging and easy to understand; these were developed with the involvement of 4 Unsri faculty members and 5 students, so they can be used immediately during community outreach.

The hope is that these health cadres will become agents of change in educating residents about the dangers of TB, prevention methods, and the importance of completing the full course of treatment.

This program not only strengthens the capacity of health volunteers but also exemplifies the synergy between universities and health care facilities in supporting the national goal of eliminating TB by 2030.