Realizing a Safe and Healthy Hajj: Collaborating for Better Services

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Yogyakarta, May 14, 2025 – Raboan Research and Perspective Sharing session held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, with an engaging topic, “Health and Safety in Hajj: Strategies and Implementation.” The event featured drg. Lutfiah Sahabuddin, M.K.M., from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Alkhairaat, Palu, as the main speaker.

In her presentation, drg. Lutfiah emphasized the importance of health and safety strategies for Hajj pilgrims. According to the data presented, illnesses such as septic shock, cardiogenic shock, and acute myocardial infarction have been the leading causes of death among Hajj pilgrims in recent years.

Presentation session by drg. Lutfiah as speaker

discussion session with Raboan participant

“Hajj health management should prioritize promotive and preventive measures. Educating pilgrims from the preparation phase to the actual pilgrimage is key to reducing mortality rates,” stated drg. Lutfiah. She also highlighted the importance of teaching Hajj health to medical students, as has been implemented at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Alkhairaat, Palu, through a dedicated Hajj and Umrah module in their curriculum.

Furthermore, drg. Lutfiah discussed the ethical dilemmas often faced by Hajj healthcare professionals. One example is the case of elderly pilgrims who are not medically fit (istitha’ah) to perform Hajj, but their families refuse to accept this decision. To resolve such issues, the involvement of community leaders, healthcare teams, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs is crucial. These stakeholders must coordinate and deliberate to reach the best decision, ensuring that families understand and accept the outcome.

This discussion aligns with the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on good health and well-being. It is part of broader efforts to enhance public health literacy and improve the quality of Hajj healthcare services in Indonesia.

Through this discussion, Raboan Research and Perspective Sharing served as a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences related to the health of hajj pilgrims. It is hoped that this event will encourage improvements in hajj health services and strengthen collaboration among various stakeholders in addressing challenges on the ground. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that Indonesian pilgrims can perform their pilgrimage in a safer, healthier, and more dignified manner.

 

Health and Safety in Hajj: Strategies and Implementation

Is Childfree Ethically Justifiable? Raboan Discussion Forum by CBMH FK-KMK UGM Explores Childfree and Reproductive Choices

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Speaker’s presentation

The Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities (CBMH), Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), held its regular Raboan Discussion Forum online via Zoom on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This session brought up the topic “Childfree Movement: Philosophical Justification and Proposed Resolution,” featuring Albert Adiputra, S.Si., M.Sc., an alumnus of the Master of Bioethics Program at UGM, as the main speaker. The discussion was moderated by Mahmasoni Masdar, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., who is also active in the field of nursing and bioethics.

The topic was chosen in response to the growing number of people considering the decision not to have children—a concept known as childfree. In his presentation, Albert explained that such a decision may be influenced by various factors, including personal, economic, and environmental considerations, as well as individual values. The discussion also explored the philosophical concept of antinatalism, which encourages deeper reflection on the ethical dimensions of bringing new life into the world.

Discussion session with participant

Another aspect highlighted in the forum was the strong influence of cultural and social norms in many societies, including Indonesia, which often emphasize the expectation to have children. Social and familial pressure can make choices like childfree difficult to accept. This is why forums like Raboan are essential, as they create space for open dialogue and mutual understanding.

From the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this topic is relevant to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Reproductive choices, including the decision to remain childfree, can be viewed through the lens of reproductive health rights, gender equality in decision-making, and awareness of ecological impacts linked to population growth.

The forum did not aim to promote or reject any particular stance but rather to help participants understand the complexity behind reproductive choices. By presenting a range of perspectives, the discussion encouraged a respectful culture of dialogue and a deeper appreciation of diverse values and life decisions within an evolving society.

Reporter: Alvira Rahmasari, S.H.G.
Editor: Rafi Khairuna Wibisono, S.Kom.

RABOAN “Childfree Movement: Philosophical Justifications and Proposed Resolutions”