One midwife + two rooms = Hope for moms and babies in Indonesia

For a village that previously had no health clinic, you would think that a new midwife and a two-room home turned health post would be a welcome addition. 

Desita, an Indonesian midwife for more than seven years, moved to the village of Seuneubok Lhong to help local families understand the value of basic healthcare practices like pre-natal prenatal checkups, vaccinations and proper nutrition.  But it proved to be a struggle.  The people in the area were hesitant to trust Desita and healthcare was not a priority for them.

Desita knew that if she was going to help the women and children of her new village, she should learn about their lifestyles and habits.  She immersed herself in local happenings, reached out to mothers and families, and even used the tradition of hand painting to talk to young women in the village about maternal and children’s health.  In time, families began to rely on Desita for counseling and health care and her home became the first point of care for many women and children.

In the past twenty years, the under-5 mortality rate in Indonesia has decreased dramatically, from 85 deaths per 1,000 live births to 35.  In Indonesia and around the world, health workers like Desita are increasing community awareness about potential threats to mothers, newborns and children and helping to provide greater access to basic health care.  

To the families of Seuneubok Lhong, Desita has opened up not only her home but she has opened her heart,  As one of our newest health worker heroes, we hope that you will follow Desita on her journey to bring health and happiness to the women and children of her village.