Building the Capacity of Kawan Sehat Health Workers: Practical Primary Health Care Training for Remote Communities in East Sumba
In East Sumba, 21 health workers received intensive training to acquire the essential skills to provide primary health care in remote areas.
Primary Medical Care in East Sumba was about more than just treating illnesses; it was about empowering individuals to care for their communities. Last September, in Rumah Kambera, the Fair Future Foundation and Kawan Baik collaborated to organize an intensive training session for 21 Kawan Sehat health workers, including three new participants. These committed individuals had already provided health services to some of the most remote villages in East Sumba, where access to medical facilities is minimal.
Training health workers with limited experience in primary and emergency care is a significant challenge, requiring careful coordination, clear communication, and considerable dedication. Led by Ayu and Alex, this training, which took place from September 24-27, 2024, in Waingapu, included over ten days of on-site preparation and months of pre-planning to ensure its success. The medical team, led by Dr. Narni and our new physician, Dr. Purba, along with Ivon from our nursing program, worked closely with Ardy from Charis Sumba Foundation and field coordinators Ino, Erwin, Ayu, and Elma to develop a practical and engaging program. The program combined practical skills with interactive learning elements to allow Kawan Sehat to build their knowledge base while increasing their confidence levels.
Our collaborative sessions focused on essential skills such as active listening to each other, assessing patient needs, and providing Primary Medical Care. The trainers emphasized the importance of clear communication, which is especially crucial when interacting with people with limited medical knowledge. For some health workers, this training will mark the beginning of their journey with Kawan Sehat; for others, it will reinforce the skills they have honed over two years in the field. Each lesson will lay the foundation for delivering life-saving medical services to communities lacking access to health care in the coming year.
With each new skill learned, these health workers will become more than just caregivers; they will contribute to building a community-centred healthcare network in East Sumba. Over the next year, they will use these skills to help families who lack access to care, filling gaps where health care is non-existent or inaccessible. Each training session will reinforce Fair Future’s commitment to creating lasting impact through health education and health care delivery in the most remote areas of East Sumba.
By the end of this week, these twenty-one individuals will be ready to make a meaningful impact. They will embody solutions, health, and the potential for a better future for the communities of East Sumba. This training will go far beyond preparing health professionals and representing building a sustainable health network that will transform lives in this region for years. We have worked towards this for over ten days since the Kawan Sehat training began.
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 5th of November 2024
