GELIAT Airlangga: Advancing Maternal and Child Health at Universitas Airlangga
Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has demonstrated a commitment to improving public health through community engagement initiatives aimed at families. One key program is the Family Based Healthy Mother and Child to Build Brilliant Generation (GELIAT Airlangga). This initiative is a collaborative effort with UNICEF and involves experts from various academic disciplines. Since its inception, GELIAT Airlangga has focused on four main areas: community service, capacity building, community empowerment, and the improvement of healthcare referral systems.
Initiation and Evolution of GELIAT Airlangga
Initially launched in 2015 as GELIAT UNAIR, the program was officially inaugurated by the East Java Provincial Government on October 25 of that year. The foundation of this initiative began earlier with the Student Partnership for Healthy Mom and Baby program introduced in March 2015. In 2018, the program was rebranded to GELIAT Airlangga to better reflect its expanded focus on promoting family-centered healthcare. A further extension occurred in 2021 with the introduction of GELIAT Santun Airlangga, which specifically addresses Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) issues.
Innovative Programs Under GELIAT Airlangga
GELIAT Airlangga continues to develop innovative initiatives that support UNAIR’s Family Health Research Center while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 17. One of the primary programs is the Maternal and Family Support Initiative, which recruits volunteers from various academic backgrounds to offer direct support to pregnant women. By collaborating with local health centers and community health workers, this initiative provides ongoing assistance from pregnancy through postpartum recovery.
Another program focuses on capacity building for healthcare professionals, specifically midwives and doctors, by equipping them with necessary skills to tackle maternal and infant mortality rates. Additionally, educational resources are provided for both volunteers and community health workers to enhance their abilities to support expectant mothers. A third program is centered on community empowerment, encouraging the involvement of students, faculty, alumni, pregnant women, and their families to increase awareness and promote collective responsibility for maternal and child health. The program also aims to improve healthcare referral systems, enhancing access to maternal and neonatal care by evaluating current practices and identifying potential solutions for existing challenges within the healthcare system.
Impact and Future Prospects
GELIAT Airlangga has made significant strides in advancing family health and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. Through its comprehensive initiatives and strategic collaborations, the program aims to serve as a national model for enhancing family-centered healthcare.
By encouraging ongoing innovation and demonstrating a strong commitment to community service, UNAIR reinforces its role as a leader in public health and family well-being in Indonesia. GELIAT Airlangga remains focused on expanding its impact and developing sustainable, research-driven solutions to improve maternal and child healthcare across the nation.
*Original Source: Hana Mufidatuz Zuhrah, Edwin Fatahuddin*
