Two representatives from GHA took part in ACTION’s International Journalist Delegation to Indonesia and had the opportunity to learn more about the health challenges facing this growing economic power. They were joined by journalists working for different media outlets in the US, the EU, France, Canada and Australia who were reporting on the health situation in the country.
The trip focused on Tuberculosis, vaccines, universal health care, civil society involvement in health care provision and external support from GAVI and the Global Fund. It gave a multi-faceted picture of the country, highlighting the efforts Indonesia has made in providing health care for all as well as the role of external donors in the national health provision framework. It also addressed Indonesian self-sufficiency in the health sector and its imminent graduation from international financial support.
TB patients in Jakarta
The first day started with a visit of Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta’s main public hospital. Participants had the possibility of seeing TB care being administered in the city’s only MDR-TB clinic. Later, they were joined by local civil society representatives who spoke about their role in spotting TB cases at the community level. The programme continued with a briefing at the Ministry of Health where participants had the opportunity to learn more about TB in Indonesia.
The second day led the delegation to Bandung and included a visit to Indonesia’s largest vaccine manufacturer BioFarma. It was an excellent way of seeing how Indonesia is not only catering for the vaccine needs of its population but equally providing affordable vaccines to other countries in the region. Subsequently, the delegation participants were joined by GAVI’s CEO Seth Berkley over Skype who explained the role of GAVI in Indonesia and stressed the importance of donor support for graduating countries.
Nutrition courses
On the third day, the community based health system of Cihampelas village was visited which provides integrated services at the local level. The journalists were introduced to the “posyandu” of the village and witnessed the delivery of services such as educational courses on nutrition. Moreover, they visited the local community garden which is to ensure that all residents are properly nourished and had the possibility of speaking to local residents benefiting from the free services.
The last day was spent at the EU delegation where European journalists had the opportunity to meet the Head of Cooperation and discover the EU’s activities in the country. Although the EU officially stopped its bilateral development aid to Indonesia in January 2014 as it has reached middle income status, it is still active via the Global Fund and the GAVI Alliance. Subsequently, GHA staff had the pleasure of meeting Ibu Naf, the current chair of the Global Fund and former Minister of Health. The day ended with a roundtable on malnutrition at the Micronutrient Initiative during which participants obtained in-depth knowledge of current nutrition challenges in Indonesia.
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