Podcast #6 - Nakes Hebat untuk Nusantara Sehat

Summary

The video discusses the Nusantara Sehat program, which was initiated in 2015 to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Indonesia's remote areas. It highlights the challenges faced by health workers in these areas, including limited infrastructure and difficult conditions. The program sends healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, to these regions for assignments lasting up to two years. The conversation emphasizes the importance of patriotism and dedication in serving communities in need, as well as the government's efforts to improve healthcare access in underserved locations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Nusantara Sehat program has been running since 2015, aiming to address the shortage of healthcare workers in remote and underserved areas of Indonesia.
• 😀 As of now, the program has deployed approximately 19,000 health professionals, with 5,000 currently active across the country.
• 😀 Health professionals involved in the Nusantara Sehat program are placed in remote areas and often face challenging conditions, including lack of infrastructure and long travel times.
• 😀 The program aims to provide health services to areas with low retention rates of health workers, often in locations that are difficult to reach, such as border areas and islands.
• 😀 Selection for the program includes psychological testing to assess the mental and physical readiness of health professionals to handle the challenges of working in remote areas.
• 😀 There are two types of deployment in the Nusantara Sehat program: individual health professionals and teams, with a focus on sending at least five individuals to a given location together.
• 😀 Professionals in the program receive intensive training before deployment, which includes mental and physical preparation for living and working in isolated locations.
• 😀 The government, through this program, aims to provide essential health services and fulfill local needs, as many remote regions are unable to fill healthcare positions through regular recruitment.
• 😀 Despite the critical role of health professionals in these areas, there is still a significant shortage, with approximately 730 health posts lacking doctors and other essential staff.
• 😀 Health professionals serving in the Nusantara Sehat program are given priority for future recruitment into government positions (PNS or P3K), with added points for their service in remote areas.

Q & A

What is the Nusantara Sehat program?

The Nusantara Sehat program is a government initiative launched in 2015 aimed at deploying health workers to remote and underserved areas in Indonesia. The program focuses on improving healthcare access in rural and isolated regions by sending a variety of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, to provide essential services.

How many healthcare workers are currently active in the Nusantara Sehat program?

As of the latest update, there are 5,000 active healthcare workers participating in the Nusantara Sehat program, and they are stationed in various remote areas across Indonesia.

What is the selection process for healthcare workers in the Nusantara Sehat program?

Healthcare workers interested in joining the Nusantara Sehat program must go through a selection process that includes psychological testing to assess mental and physical preparedness for the challenges of working in remote areas. There are also pre-deployment training sessions to help them adjust to the unique conditions they will face.

What types of healthcare professionals are needed in the Puskesmas (community health centers)?

Puskesmas are required to have a minimum of nine types of healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists, nurses, laboratory technicians, nutritionists, midwives, and other medical staff as per the regulations set by the Ministry of Health.

Why are certain areas in Indonesia particularly in need of healthcare workers?

Some areas, particularly in Eastern Indonesia and remote regions, face a shortage of healthcare workers due to low retention rates, challenging working conditions, and limited local interest in these professions. These areas often lack sufficient infrastructure and facilities, making it difficult for local governments to fulfill the healthcare needs of the population.

What are the challenges faced by healthcare workers in remote areas?

Healthcare workers in remote areas often face challenges such as long travel times to reach patients, inadequate infrastructure (e.g., lack of electricity and internet), difficult terrain, and isolation. These workers must adapt to these conditions to provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations.

How long are healthcare workers typically assigned to a Puskesmas through the Nusantara Sehat program?

Healthcare workers assigned through the Nusantara Sehat program are typically given a two-year assignment. After the two years, there is an option for an extension, but the assignment may require them to move to a different location.

What incentives are offered to healthcare workers in the Nusantara Sehat program?

Incentives for healthcare workers in the Nusantara Sehat program include rewards for serving in remote areas, such as priority in future government job recruitments (PNS and P3K), and potential career advancement opportunities. There is also a strong emphasis on the sense of patriotism and contribution to building a healthier Indonesia.

Why are doctors and dentists particularly needed in the program?

Doctors and dentists are especially needed in remote areas, particularly in Eastern Indonesia, due to the significant shortage of these professionals in such regions. Despite the increasing number of medical school graduates, many of them are reluctant to serve in distant, underserved locations.

How does the Nusantara Sehat program impact healthcare in Indonesia's remote regions?

The Nusantara Sehat program plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services to remote and isolated communities, where access to medical facilities and professionals is limited. It helps bridge the gap in healthcare provision by sending qualified personnel to areas that would otherwise lack sufficient medical care.