Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), through its Community Service Team (Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat/PKM), demonstrated a strong humanitarian commitment by directly assisting flood-affected residents in Sidodadi Hamlet, Sekoci Village, Besitang Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
The activity was part of a Community Service Program funded by a grant from the Directorate General of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek). Implemented over several days in flood-affected areas, the program focused on healthcare services, logistics distribution, clean water provision, and social assistance for the community.
The UMSU PKM team was led by dr. Eka Febriyanti, M.Gizi, as Team Leader and field coordinator. She was joined by Dr. Emni Purwoningsih, M.Kes, and Dr. Abd Rahman, M.Pd, as grant recipient team members who were involved from proposal development and program design to implementation in accordance with the Kemendiktisaintek scheme.
These three lecturers served as the main drivers of the PKM program, integrating academic, humanitarian, and community-based approaches to ensure the activities were measurable, impactful, and not merely ceremonial.
During field implementation, the PKM team was supported by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Yurisna Tanjung, M.AP, Muhammad Hidayat, M.Pd, and Dr. Atikah Rahmi, S.H., M.H, who acted as activity facilitators, strengthened cross-sector coordination, and served as liaisons between the implementation team, institutions, and the local community.
As a rapid response to post-flood health conditions, the UMSU PKM team deployed a medical unit consisting of six doctors who established a health service post at the affected location. The medical team was supported by five UMSU medical students and student volunteers from various faculties, assisting with patient services, data collection, medicine distribution, and community support, particularly for elderly residents and children.
Healthcare services were delivered in stages and covered four affected hamlets: Sidodadi, Sejambu, Pantai Pulau, and Sukaramai Bengkel.
Based on PKM team data, a total of 334 residents from the four hamlets received medical examinations, comprising 91 residents from Sidodadi, 58 from Sejambu, 86 from Pantai Pulau, and 99 from Sukaramai Bengkel.
Dr. Eka Febriyanti explained that residents’ health conditions were significantly affected by prolonged exposure to floodwater, humid weather, and limited access to clean water. “The most common illnesses we encountered were Acute Respiratory Infections, followed by hypertension and skin diseases such as tinea, scabies, and contact dermatitis,” she stated.
In addition to medical treatment, the team also provided health education to help residents prevent further post-flood illnesses.
On the first day, the PKM team distributed 200 food aid packages to flood-affected residents in Sidodadi Hamlet. The assistance was reinforced by the distribution of water storage tanks and clean drinking water to several residential areas, as local clean water sources had been damaged by the flood.
On the second and third days, the team continued distributing aid and providing healthcare services to other hamlets, ensuring that no affected area was left unattended.
Sekoci Village Head, Hidayah Gunawan, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the presence of the UMSU PKM team. “At a time when our community is still traumatized and grieving, UMSU came not only with aid but also with care and hope. We truly feel that we are not alone. On behalf of the people of Sekoci Village, I extend our deepest gratitude,” she said.
Activity facilitator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Yurisna Tanjung, M.AP, emphasized that this community service reflects the concrete role of universities in responding to societal needs.
Through the synergy of PKM grant recipient lecturers, medical teams, and student volunteers, UMSU has not only been present during the emergency phase but has also become an integral part of the post-flood recovery process in Langkat Regency.
