Faculty of Public Health UNHAS Presents International Experts to Discuss the Impact of Climate Change on Public Health
The Faculty of Public Health at Hasanuddin University (FKM UNHAS) hosted an international guest lecture on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, under the theme “Environment, Climate Change and Health: Public Health Perspectives.”The hybrid event took place in the Prof. Nur Nasry Noor Room (K-225) and was also accessible via Zoom, drawing participation from dozens of lecturers and students. The lecture featured Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Assistant Professor at North South University, Bangladesh, as the keynote speaker.
The session was officially opened by the Dean of FKM UNHAS, Prof. Sukri Palutturi, SKM., M.Kes., MSc.PH., Ph.D., who emphasized the importance of such forums in enriching global knowledge and understanding of public health challenges, particularly in the context of climate change.
Moderated by Dr. Hasnawati Amqam, SKM., M.Sc., Head of the Public Health Bachelor Study Program at FKM UNHAS, the discussion was highly interactive. Both in-person and online participants actively engaged in the Q&A session, sharing insights and exploring strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation from a public health perspective.
In a compelling presentation, Dr. Zahirul underscored the profound connection between climate change and its far-reaching effects on public health. He called for robust cross-sector collaboration to confront this growing threat. Dr. Zahirul outlined the multifaceted health risks posed by climate change, including extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and heatwaves, as well as rising air pollution, the spread of infectious diseases, and disruptions to food supply chains. “These impacts are most acutely felt by vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, and low-income communities,” he noted.
He explained that health risks stem from a complex interplay of environmental hazards, exposure levels, and community vulnerability. Socioeconomic conditions and the strength of environmental governance play a critical role in building resilience against climate-related health challenges. According to Dr. Zahirul, climate change exerts both direct and indirect pressure on human health. Extreme temperatures heighten the risk of cardiovascular issues and heat-related fatalities, while polluted air worsens respiratory and heart diseases. Ecological shifts also accelerate the spread of vector-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya.
Indirect consequences include deteriorating water quality and reduced food availability, which may lead to malnutrition and outbreaks of diarrheal diseases. “Climate change is not merely an environmental concern—it’s a pressing public health crisis that touches every aspect of human life,” he emphasized.
Concluding his presentation, Dr. Zahirul advocated for proactive risk prevention through three key strategies: minimizing exposure, averting adverse health outcomes, and reinforcing health system responses. He stressed the need for adaptive environmental policies, early warning mechanisms, effective vector control, and comprehensive disaster preparedness training for medical personnel. “Climate change affects us all,” he said, ending on a hopeful note. “But through collaboration and shared awareness, we can reduce its impact.”
Through this guest lecture, FKM UNHAS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing academic and research contributions on environmental and global health issues, in pursuit of a resilient and sustainable society.
