Kawan Sehat MbinuDita, health farewell and future
Two village health workers stop; new agents step in
These photos show the training and medical work of Kawan Sehat health agents in remote areas of Eastern Indonesia.
Kawan Sehat MbinuDita health story.
In MbinuDita, primary medical care starts at the community level—not with a doctor, but with Agustina Pekawoli and Ferias Bangu Kahi. For over three years, these women have been the foundation of health in their community, responding to nighttime fevers, tending to wounds, and diagnosing illnesses like malaria. With their medical backpacks filled with essential medical supplies, they make critical decisions about when to escalate care to the Puskesmas, a local healthcare centre, or a hospital.
Our latest evaluation with Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia revealed the impact of their efforts. The backpacks were emptied, and the records carefully reviewed. This grassroots clinical audit took place on the floor of a wooden house, with curious children at the door and chickens crossing the room—in stark contrast to the sterile environments we usually imagine for such activities. Each diagnosis, treatment, and referral tells a story of community-focused healthcare.
Although Agustina and Ferias have chosen to pass the baton due to evolving personal responsibilities, their legacy endures. They were honoured with certificates recognising their dedication and the trust of many families. Importantly, new Kawan Sehat agents are stepping in to increase the number of active health workers in nearby villages from 20 to 30. These agents will benefit from enhanced supervision, expanded training, and better data collection—improving the quality and reach of primary medical care in MbinuDita and the surrounding areas.
Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia extend their gratitude to Agustina and Ferias, whose commitment has laid a strong foundation for others to build upon. With these ongoing efforts, primary medical care will become even stronger, safer, and more deeply embedded in the daily lives of these remote communities.
Today, the 19th of November 2025 – Alex Wettstein
From two health workers to thirty trained agents
This farewell in MbinuDita is not an ending. Agustina and Ferias share their experience so new Kawan Sehat agents can expand the network from 20 to 30 trained village health workers who care for remote families every day.
Kawan Sehat in MbinuDita Village. A true health story
Primary medical care Mbinudita, and the next generation of Kawan Sehat
A small ceremony where medical backpacks change hands, not duties
In MbinuDita, Primary Medical Care thrives through the dedicated efforts of Kawan Sehat health agents. Collaborating with Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia, they have tirelessly responded to night-time calls, navigated challenging terrains, and provided medical care where doctors are scarce. After three years, we are witnessing a pivotal transition as two pioneering agents return their medical backpacks, manuals, posters, and registers, enabling new volunteers to extend care to neighboring villages.
The agents’ records were meticulously reviewed to confirm diagnoses, recommended treatments, and necessary referrals, while discussion on recognizing red flag symptoms ensured preparedness for when transportation to the Puskesmas or hospital is essential. Each agent received a certificate acknowledging their participation in three intensive training sessions, emphasizing practical rural medicine and celebrating their discipline, empathy, and resilience.
By 2026, the program aims to expand to thirty Kawan Sehat under closer supervision. Regular refresher courses and a dedicated app will ensure transparency and quality treatment, with real-time data reporting from Rumah Kambera and support from our Swiss team. This initiative makes the primary medical care in Mbinudita quantifiable and safe for the families it serves. Educational materials will journey to other villages, while the wisdom acquired remains within the community, guiding new volunteers.
For Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia, this milestone ceremony symbolizes not an end, but rather a testament to the enduring ability of community-based care to evolve and flourish long after the foundational team has passed the torch.
We cordially invite all captivated by this story to explore our photo gallery, witness this extraordinary effort, and further engage with our mission through our Instagram account.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – the 19th of November, 2025
Other inspiring organisations
List of Related Organisations with Hyperlinks
- World Health Organisation Primary Health Care: WHO explains how robust primary health care systems reduce preventable deaths and promote equity for rural families facing distance and poverty.
- UNICEF Indonesia Community Health and Nutrition: UNICEF collaborates with local partners to ensure children in remote areas receive vaccines, nutrition, maternal care, and safe water, even in regions where clinics and doctors are scarce.
- Doctors Without Borders Community-Based Projects: Doctors Without Borders supports community clinics and mobile teams that provide essential treatment in areas affected by crisis, conflict, and fragile health systems.
- Partners In Health Rural Care Model: Partners In Health demonstrates how trained community health workers, data collection, and strong public systems improve patient outcomes in remote and underserved regions.
- IFRC Community Health Volunteers: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies trains volunteers to offer first aid, disease prevention, and disaster response in vulnerable communities.
- Malaria Partners International Prevention Programmes: Malaria Partners International funds community-based malaria control measures, including nets, spraying, and training, to protect families in endemic regions such as East Sumba.
