Udayana University Collaborates with BMKG, ITB, and Bali Province to Hold National Seminar on Climate and Health

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in collaboration with the Bali Provincial Government, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and Udayana University (Unud) held a National Seminar on Climate and Health and the Launch of Bali Province DBDKlim Service Products at the Dr. Theater Room. A A. Made Djelantik, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Tuesday (30/04/2024). This activity takes the topic of Utilizing BMKG Climate Information to Anticipate Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) incidents.

Rector of Unud Prof. Ngakan Putu Gede Suardana in his speech said that this seminar was an important moment in bridging two crucial fields, namely climate and health. The Rector really appreciated the implementation of this seminar activity and DBDklim's service products in producing important innovations in the world of health. Climate models and information for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever are very necessary for the community, especially the people of Bali, which is the province most vulnerable to dengue fever.

With this DBD climate, the Rector hopes to increase community preparedness in dealing with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Bali.

Regional Secretary of the Bali Provincial Government Drs. Dewa Made Indra, M.Sc. in his speech said that the problem of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Bali Province, especially from year to year, the numbers experience quite fluctuating dynamics but still exist at a high level, therefore various methods have been taken, starting from conventional methods to methods that very scientific. However, the final result still shows that the dengue phenomenon is still high.

On this occasion, we are again presenting a new method in an effort to reduce the spread or transmission of dengue fever, namely an information service system which the BMKG calls DBDKlim. Of course, with this DBDKlim information service, you can know sooner or later that there will be an increase in the spread or transmission of DHF, so that you can make an adaptive response earlier and the transmission or spread of DHF can be suppressed.

Meanwhile, BMKG Deputy for Climatology, Dr. Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan on this occasion said that the world, including the BMKG, has noted the facts and impacts of climate change globally which have been felt by various sectors of life. One of the impacts of climate change is that it can expand the spread of infectious diseases such as through mosquito vectors, malaria, dengue and chikungunya. Even though dengue fever is considered a tropical disease, climate change can certainly increase the risk of spreading to high latitudes (further north or south).

One thing that can be done is adapting to the impacts of climate change, including building infrastructure that is resilient to extreme climates, improving early warning information for physical impacts and other sectors such as health, and developing programs to help the most vulnerable communities.