The Community Service Team of F.Kep Unhas is chaired by Sri Bintari Rahayu, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep, and consists of Dr. Erfina, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep, Dr. Suni Hariati, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep and Andriani, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes, held a community service activity on (11/15) with the theme “Screening and Early Detection of Visual Impairment Based on Empowerment of School Units in Elementary School Students” at SD Inpres Jongaya, Pabaeng-Baeng Village, Tamalate District, Makassar City. This activity was carried out by providing education and simulation to teachers of SD Inpres Jongaya regarding how to detect visual impairment in school children. Education and simulation were provided by Asrul Parawansyah, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. who is the Head of the Regional Management of the Indonesian Eye Nurses Association of South Sulawesi Province. This activity was attended by 30 teachers of Jongaya Elementary School and 2 nurses representing the Jongaya Health Center.
The activity began with the provision of material to teachers related to visual impairment in children, the urgency of early detection, and handling of eye abnormalities. After the provision of material was completed, the activity was continued with a discussion session which was enthusiastically welcomed by the community service participants. After the discussion session, the activity was continued by conducting a simulation by teaching teachers how to check the visual function of eye acuity in students using the Snellen chart.
Vice Dean for Planning, Resources, & Alumni of the Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University, Dr. Erfina, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep stated that “this activity aims to increase awareness of student companions in helping to detect visual impairments that occur in students in supporting the development, physical, emotional, and education of children”
Meanwhile, the Head of the Community Service Team, Sri Bintari Rahayu, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep added that it is hoped that from this activity the knowledge and abilities of UKS teachers and homeroom teachers in recognizing and early detecting visual impairments in students can increase.
This activity is expected to become a sustainable agenda as a form of contribution in preventing an increase in the prevalence of visual impairments in elementary school students by collaborating between academics, city governments, and education offices.