Strengthening Poskestren Institutions Through Advocacy, Legality, and Capacity Building for Cadres at the Baitul Hidayah Islamic Boarding School in Bandung Regency Yudi Feriandi (a*), Titik Respati (b), Amelia Dwi Heryani (c), Erik Setiawan (d), Wiki Angga Wiksana (d)
a) Bagian Ilmu Pendidikan Kedokteran dan Humaniora, Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Islam Bandung
*yudi.feriandi[at]unisba.ac.id
b) Bagian Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Islam Bandung
c) Bagian Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat Industri, Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Islam Bandung
d) Fakultas Ilmu Komunikasi Universitas Islam Bandung
Abstract
Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) have been identified as promising grassroots platforms for community-based health promotion through the establishment of Islamic Boarding School Health Posts (Poskestren). However, challenges related to institutional legality, organizational structure, and the competency of health cadres impede optimal functioning and sustainability. The Community Service Program (PKM) was conceived with the objective of contributing to the institutional strengthening of Poskestren at the Baitul Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, situated in Bandung Regency, West Java. The intervention was predicated on three fundamental strategies: first, cross-sectoral advocacy with health authorities and stakeholders- second, facilitation of institutional legality and administrative documentation- and third, an initial assessment of health cadre competencies. The program has led to marked progress in legal formalization, which is currently awaiting approval from the District Health Office. Concurrently, the organizational structure of Poskestren is being formalized through an official decree from the pesantren leadership. A study of 30 prospective health cadres revealed significant deficiencies in knowledge and skills related to first aid, rational use of medicines, basic nutrition, and the principles of clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS). These findings underscore the necessity for structured, context-specific training modules guided by a standardized cadre handbook. This initiative demonstrates that a collaborative, empowerment-based approach is essential to ensuring the long-term viability and impact of Poskestren as a model for health promotion in Islamic educational settings.
