NERS NEWS – The health education activity themed “Foot Exercise: A Healthy Step to Fight Diabetes” was successfully held on Thursday, March 9, 2026, at 09.00 AM WIB, receiving enthusiastic participation from visitors at Kalijudan Public Health Center, Surabaya. The event began with a presentation covering the definition of diabetes mellitus, its signs and symptoms, and the importance of preventing complications through healthy lifestyle changes. The facilitators used leaflet media to help participants understand the material more clearly and memorably. Following the educational session, participants were guided to directly practice diabetic foot exercises aimed at improving blood circulation in the feet and preventing diabetic foot complications. The atmosphere was interactive and engaging, with several participants actively following the exercises demonstrated by the speaker. During the discussion session, two participants asked questions related to the benefits and appropriate timing of performing foot exercises for individuals with diabetes.
This activity was organized by Group 2 of the Ners Profession Program, Universitas Airlangga, as part of their Health Promotion practicum at Kalijudan Public Health Center. The session began promptly at 09.00 AM and involved nursing profession students as educators, along with community members as participants. The presenters were Ach. Roziqi and Alfina Sarah Sadjidah, assisted by other group members who acted as facilitators during the foot exercise demonstration. The activity was supervised by Mrs. Waji, S.Kep., Ns., as the clinical instructor from Kalijudan Public Health Center, and Mrs. Sylvia Dwi Wahyuni, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., as the academic supervisor from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga. This collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare facilities represents a concrete form of synergy in supporting public health improvement through promotive and preventive efforts.
The activity aimed to increase public knowledge and awareness regarding the importance of preventing diabetes complications, particularly those affecting the feet. The background of this initiative was the rising number of diabetes mellitus cases and the high risk of diabetic foot complications due to insufficient foot care and inadequate physical activity. The benefits of this activity include helping the community understand the importance of foot health, increasing physical activity through diabetic foot exercises, and encouraging the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors in daily life. This program also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, which emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
One of the student organizers expressed that this educational activity is part of their promotive and preventive practice as nursing profession students. They hope the program helps the community better understand diabetes management and take early steps to prevent complications. “We hope the community practices foot exercises regularly at home as a simple way to maintain health and prevent complications from diabetes,” the student said.
Through this activity, it is expected that sustainable collaboration will continue between educational institutions and healthcare facilities to improve community health status. Direct health education to the community serves as a strategic step in increasing awareness and fostering healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent various chronic diseases in the future.
Author: Nadia Ayuningtyas – Group 2, Ners Profession Program, Community and Family Nursing Rotation
Editor: Eva Khoirunnisa Adinta (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
