UNAIR NEWS “ A student team from 51¶¯Âþ () scored an impressive 9 out of 10 in the Innovation and Sustainability category at the 2025 Indo-Pacific Global Health Case Competition (IPGHCC), hosted by the University of Melbourne.
The team consisted of Aurellia Saraswati Winahyu Naiaputri and Wahyu Kurniawan from the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Dewi Aisyah Anindita from the Faculty of Law (FH), and Nabila Balqis Faizah from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP).
The Indo-Pacific Global Health Case Competition brings together students from universities across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region to craft innovative, evidence-based, and multidisciplinary approaches to global health issues. Each year, all participants analyze the same case prepared by the University of Melbourne. This year™s challenge required teams to design an intervention to address asthma in the Philippines.
The competition was held in a hybrid format, beginning in mid-August and concluding with the grand final on October 1, 2025. Although the UNAIR team competed virtually, they delivered excellent research and a strong presentation. Asthma poses a significant health burden in the Philippines, particularly among children, where prevalence continues to rise. Despite the complexity of the issue, the UNAIR team succeeded in producing a well-rounded, comprehensive solution.
Comprehensive approach to asthma care
The students created Breathe Bright, a program aimed at improving asthma management for children in Barangay communities in the Philippines. The initiative was developed in response to limited access to diagnostic services and long-term treatment, which often leads to repeated hospitalizations and high medical expenses.
The program is built on four key pillars. The first, Healthy School, Healthy Lungs, incorporates asthma education into school curricula and establishes Asthma Clubs to reduce school absences and asthma attacks. The second pillar, Barangay Asthma Action, empowers local health workers to identify and support children with asthma, as well as enforce smoke-free policies at the Barangay level.
The third pillar, Access for All, focuses on improving access to affordable long-term care through subsidized ICS inhalers and tele-pulmonology services. The final pillar, Policy & Advocacy Hub, supports passage of the Childhood Asthma Prevention and Treatment Act of 2026, which proposes increased tobacco taxes and dedicated funding for pediatric asthma programs. Together, the four pillars aim to reduce asthma-related hospitalizations among Filipino children by 30% within five years.
Team journey and key takeaways
The UNAIR team faced several challenges, particularly because of their diverse academic backgrounds spanning Public Health, Law, and Social Sciences. According to team co-coordinators Aurellia and Wahyu, the preparation process required considerable adjustment and alignment of perspectives. As first-time competitors, they gained valuable insight not only into the case content but also into effective communication and idea delivery.
A significant portion of the innovation behind Breathe Bright came from Wahyu Kurniawan. The 2022 Public Health student specializing in Health Policy and Administration played a vital role in shaping the program™s design. His creativity and dedication helped the team achieve one of the top scores in the Innovation and Sustainability category.
Author: Saffana Raisa Rahmania
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
