UMS Student Team Partners with PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Doctors for GERD Education

Sadari Raga, a health campaign initiated by students of the Communication Science Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), presents a collaboration with physicians from PKU Muhammadiyah Surakarta Hospital. This collaboration aims to raise public awareness regarding the relationship between GERD and coffee consumption habits.

Project Manager of the Sadari Raga Campaign Team, Luluk Tazkia, explained that the activity was designed as a shared educational platform to increase public awareness in maintaining health, particularly gastric health.

“Through education on balancing caffeine consumption, we want to invite the public to be more aware that small daily habits can have a significant impact on the risk of developing GERD. We hope that the messages delivered through this campaign can be applied in everyday life and become an initial step toward a healthier lifestyle,” she said on Tuesday (23/12/2025).

The campaign, which targeted the general public, particularly young people, was held in the Manahan area of Surakarta. The activities were packaged in the form of health education, direct consultation sessions with doctors, and simple health check-ups for participants.

“Through this series of activities, we aim to encourage the public to better understand the symptoms of GERD and its relationship with caffeine consumption, which is often part of everyday lifestyle habits. Collaboration with medical professionals from PKU Muhammadiyah Surakarta Hospital serves to strengthen the educational message so that the information delivered is medically grounded and easily understood by the public,” she explained.

Sadari Raga booth initiated by the UMS Communication Science student team in collaboration with PKU Muhammadiyah Surakarta Hospital.

A physician from PKU Muhammadiyah Surakarta Hospital, dr. HM. Pratama Rachmat Wijaya, M.H., M.A.P., M.A.R.S., explained that coffee consumption does not need to be completely avoided to prevent GERD, but rather should be managed wisely and adjusted to each individual’s physical condition.

“This campaign is not intended to prohibit coffee consumption, but to invite the public to understand their body condition and appropriate consumption patterns. Do not be afraid of coffee, be wise in consuming it by understanding your gastric condition. When we take care of our stomachs, our quality of life will also become healthier and better,” Pratama explained.

Through the Sadari Raga campaign held on Friday (13/12/2025), Communication Science students of UMS demonstrated an active role in educating the public through a health communication approach that is closely connected to everyday realities.

“It is hoped that the messages delivered will foster long-term awareness, encouraging the community to be more mindful in managing caffeine consumption patterns and maintaining gastric health according to each individual’s physical condition,” she concluded.

Writer: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid