Clean and healthy conditions a must in pesantren

Jombang, NU Online
Clean and healthy conditions become such a must in Islamic boarding schools to make those living in the pesantren such as santri (students), the leaders and the entire family health. So what are the indicators or signs of healthy pesantren?

Vice Chairman of the NU Heath Institute Zulfikar As'ad popularly called as Gus Ufik, explained that the indicator of healthy pesantren consisted of the main and and additional indicators.

"The main indicator is the entire family of pesantren boarding is accustomed to eating fruits and vegetables, doing physical activities, and early detecting the possibility of disease," Gus Ufik said at a workshop held in Pesantren Darul Ulum on Saturday (19/11).

Gus Ufik added the physical activities were among others sports, walking, as well as everyday activities such as sweeping.

"Physical activity does not have to be done for a long time. It could take fifteen or thirty minutes, but it is done regularly," he explained.

While the additional indicator, he said, was related to the cleanliness of pesantren environment such as air, rubbish, sewerage, drinking water, bathing, washing and toilet, ventilation, and lighting.

"In addition, healthy pesantren also provide no smoking area, the health promotion center, and the pesantren health center (Poskestren)," the Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Hospital Association (ARSINU).

Healthy pesantren are part of the Healthy Living Society Movement (Germas). This is in line with the program of the NU Health Institute responsible for implementing the NU policies in the health sector and implementing guidance functions in the Institute of Health at the regional boards.

Germas was launched on 15 November 2016 by the Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture in Yogyakarta. The Germas initiated by the president is a form of mental revolutionary movement in the field of health to cultivate a healthy life, to be able to change the habits of unhealthy behavior. (Kendi Setiawan/Masdar)