Visiting With Mothers and Frontline Health Workers in Indonesia
I was in a small village in Indonesia today spending time with pregnant mothers and health workers – including midwives and the ONLY doctor for six villages. Yes, six villages share one doctor.
The pregnant mothers were there for a mother's support group. They were learning how to properly wash their hands, how to hold their babies, how to protect their babies from bacteria…and more.
The group facilitator, who is also a midwife, was also explaining children's rights to the group…rights being mentioned included the right to education and the right to develop and grow.
Visiting a Community Health Clinic
In the afternoon, we visited a recently improved community health clinic (Puskesmas) and met with the sub-district's midwife coordinator. Because of recent support, this clinic can now be open 24/7 for local mothers in labor. Lives are being saved here.
I was overly optimistic that I'd be able to come back to the hotel every night and share all the stories I want to share…all the stories that need to be told. I've realized, that for now, it's best that I share the highlights. All of my senses are on overload and I'm going to need more breathing space to truly convey the brilliance of this insight trip.
What Save The Children is doing in Indonesia is simple astounding. The frontline health workers I'm meeting are passionate, focused, dedicated, and filled with energy. And the mothers I'm meeting are grateful for support, dream of a better health clinic for their village, and fear of bleeding to death during delivery.
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[…] helping women in South Africa as well as global health. And, finally in December Stacey Weckstein reported from Indonesia with Save the Children’s Every Beat Matters’ team about frontline health […]
It’s amazing that there is one doctor for six villages. The mother’s support group sounds great. Do most of the women in the area take advantage? Can’t wait to hear more!
AMAZING
Great post Stacey!
You’re doing amazing work and this is such an inspiring post. It’s great that mothers now have 24/7 clinic to turn to and yes, I can imagine that lives would be saved!