MDPI Held Health and Safety Festival to Bolster Resilience of Fishing Communities
- April 11, 2026
Coastal community’s resilience built upon its health and safety has become increasingly vital. Given the high occupational risks they face at sea, safety is non-negotiable. For fishing families, access to routine preventive healthcare near their daily activities serves not only to their benefit, but also to the fishery sector productivity.
MDPI addressed the demand by holding the Community-Based Health and Safety Festival in Buru District, Maluku, on April 9–10, 2026. About 200 participants, representing fishing families from the villages of Wailihang, Waprea, and Waepure, attended the event.
The festival brought preventive healthcare services directly to the community, ranging from basic health screenings to the early detection of chronic diseases. Fishers were also exposed to education on social protection through Indonesia’s National Health Insurance System (BPJS).
Furthermore, this initiative equipped community with first-responder training both at sea and on land. The program encouraged villagers—especially fishers and mothers—to master the basic skills necessary in responding to accidents and emergencies at the community level.
Vice-Regent of Buru District, Sudarmo, who inaugurated the event, praised MDPI’s initiative. “We express our gratitude and appreciation to MDPI for organizing this event. This initiative aligns with local government efforts to improve environmental quality and the welfare of coastal communities. We hope the community not only grows more aware of the importance of health but also plays an active role in preserving the coastal environment,” he said.
Bringing Access Closer for Coastal Community Resilience
For many fishing families, preventive health services remain out of reach. Regular health checks serve as a vital step in ensuring fishers maintain the physical condition necessary to work safely and productively.
Hamid, the Head of the Waplau Health Centre (Puskesmas), noted that the event helped health workers map the community’s health status. “Through screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid, we can gain a general overview of the health conditions across these three villages. This significantly aids our early detection efforts,” he explained.
Using a community-based approach, the initiative forms part of a long-term effort to bolster coastal resilience through fisher health and safety, moving beyond one-off services toward a sustainable emergency preparedness system. The International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) supported the event as part of a global drive to improve safety for small-scale fishers.
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Voices from Buru
Community enthusiasm was evident in the active participation throughout the event. For many, the arrival of health services directly in their village was a rare and meaningful experience.
Umar Papalia, a tuna fisher from Waprea Village, said the health screenings were highly beneficial. “I am very grateful for this event. It has made me realize that maintaining one’s health is important and cannot be delayed,” he said.
His wife, Fatma Warhangan, shared the sentiment. “Thankfully, my health check results were good. Activities like this help us immensely,” she said.
The Bedrock of Community’s Resilience
MDPI views fisher health and safety as a critical foundation for building sustainable fisheries. Healthy fishers are not only more productive but are also better equipped to adapt and participate actively in marine resource management.
Our Director Yasmine Simbolon emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to supporting coastal communities. “This event is more than just a health service; it is part of a collective effort to strengthen the foundations of coastal life—from health and safety to the sustainability of marine resources,” she said.
Through this initiative, MDPI aims to complement and strengthen existing health services by delivering a community-centric approach and encouraging a culture of regular health check-ups.
