Kawan Sehat Training Sessions Enhance Primary Healthcare in Remote Areas of Indonesia
Health agents broaden skills to provide lifesaving care in isolated communities.
Health agents from rural Indonesia learning primary care during training days
Training Days That Strengthen Life in Ultra-Rural Villages
In the remote and rugged landscapes of ultra-rural Indonesia, the Fair Future Foundation, in collaboration with Kawan Baik Indonesia, is making a profound impact on community health. For over 16 years, Fair Future has diligently worked to improve healthcare access and education in regions where such resources are scarce. In May 2025, a significant milestone was achieved with another intensive three-day training session (the third) for 21 Kawan Sehat health agents, a group mainly comprising women, demonstrating the empowerment of women in healthcare.
Guided by an expert team of doctors, nurses, and programme coordinators, these health agents refined their skills in primary medical care and community health—highlighting the urgent need for such knowledge in areas untouched by professional healthcare providers. In these regions, the complete lack of healthcare infrastructure means these agents serve as vital lifelines for their communities. Every month, they attend to nearly 1,000 patients, addressing a broad spectrum of health issues from childhood fevers and maternal infections to chronic illnesses among the elderly.
The comprehensive training covered a range of essential skills. Health agents learned how to assess emergencies, disinfect wounds, administer treatments, and use limited medical supplies effectively. They practised crucial skills such as measuring blood pressure, recognising warning signs of critical illness, and providing important health education. Using guides and manuals, together with the innovative Kawan Sehat mobile application, agents meticulously document medical and social data, a vital component for supporting individual treatments and informing national health strategies.
These training programmes are more than just about imparting knowledge; they aim to ensure healthcare delivery is effective and sustainable. Swiss expertise in project implementation and healthcare training has further strengthened the impact of Fair Future efforts. The knowledge gained by these health agents does not stay with them—it spreads through their communities, transforming one skill into a preventive measure against many potential infections, and one educational moment into a life-saving piece of information for hundreds.
However, maintaining this programme requires more than dedication—it demands resources. With medicine supplies running low and funding uncertain, the resilience and resolve of these health agents become even more crucial. In September, the focus will shift to a detailed training aimed at combating malaria, a persistent threat in East Indonesia. This upcoming training will prepare agents to better identify, prevent, and treat malaria, strengthening their frontline defence against one of the region’s most deadly diseases. Read the documentation here.
Every training session goes beyond mere education; it is an effort to ensure collective survival. These sessions empower health agents to guarantee no child with a fever is left unaided, no wound is neglected, and no village remains unaware of basic health practices. As these 21 health agents return to their communities equipped with new skills and knowledge, they carry with them the hope and potential to save thousands of lives. Such is the lasting legacy of Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia, organisations whose efforts exemplify the principles of dignity, equity, and the universal right to health.
Today, the 15th of August 2025 – Alex Wettstein
- Click here to view the gallery of nearly 70 images capturing the three days of Kawan Sehat health agents’ training in primary medical care at Rumah Kambera.
In Short – Community Care, Lasting Change
Over three days of intensive training at Rumah Kambera, 21 Kawan Sehat health agents have become stronger guardians of community health. Beyond treating wounds and fevers, they are now capable of preventing outbreaks, teaching families safer habits, and protecting children from diseases that often claim lives. This is not just medical training; it signifies the transformation of entire villages into healthier, more resilient communities. Click here to see the gallery
Kawan Sehat training with Fair Future Foundation
List of Related Organisations with Hyperlinks
- Global Health Workforce Alliance: Works to strengthen community health workers as the backbone of rural medical systems.
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Provides health services, training, and disaster response in the most remote and vulnerable communities.
- The Carter Center: Focuses on preventing and eliminating neglected tropical diseases in underserved regions.
- Partners In Health: Delivers community-based healthcare programmes in poor and rural areas worldwide.
- VillageReach: Improves healthcare delivery in remote communities through logistics, technology, and local health worker support.
- Health Poverty Action: Works with communities in isolated areas to strengthen healthcare systems and combat preventable diseases.
- Indonesia Ministry of Health: Leads health initiatives and community-based programmes to expand rural healthcare access across Indonesia.
