Empowering Women's Groups in Environmentally Based Disease Prevention through Household Waste Processing in Moncongloe Village, Maros Regency

Makassar — ​​The Faculty of Public Health, Indonesian Muslim University (FKM UMI) has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting sustainable development in rural areas through community service activities. Supported by the Institute for Research, Development and Community Service (LP2M UMI), the UMI FKM lecturer team implemented an education and training program on household waste processing in Moncongloe Village, Maros Regency.

This activity, which took place on September 11 2025, targeted women's groups at Pesona Pelangi Housing as community partners. Through a participatory approach, this training aims to increase residents' capacity to manage domestic waste independently and sustainably. The main resource person, Nita, introduced two simple technologies that can be applied directly in the household environment, namely bio-activator based composter bucketsThe chief organizer of the activity, Harpiana Rahman, said that this training did not only focus on the technical aspects of waste processing, but also on increasing public awareness of the importance of environmental sanitation as an effort to prevent disease. "We want to build understanding that waste management is not just a matter of cleanliness, but also part of a public health strategy to prevent diseases such as diarrhea, ISPA and dengue fever," he said.

Participants' enthusiasm can be seen from their active involvement during training sessions and discussions. Apart from gaining new knowledge, participants also receive simple technological devices that can be used directly in their homes. The head of the local RT also expressed his appreciation for the UMI FKM initiative and hoped that this activity would be the forerunner to the formation of a community-based waste management system in Moncongloe Village.

This program is in line with the Indonesian Muslim University's commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the aspects of waste management, environmental health and community empowerment. FKM UMI plans to replicate similar activities in other areas as part of a long-term environmental health-based community service strategy.
With a scientific and collaborative approach, FKM UMI continues to strive to make the campus a center for innovation that has a direct impact on society. This activity is clear proof that synergy between academics and the community can produce concrete solutions to environmental and health challenges at the local level.