The Puskesmas was constructed as part of the Australian Indonesia Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health, which is funded by AusAID and managed by Coffey International Development.
The visit was part of a wider trip to the region by the parliamentarians to view the progress of Australian Government-funded reconstruction efforts following the devastation of the 2009 earthquake.
During their visit, the delegation was able to see the Puskesmas in operation, including its new medical facilities and wards. The delegation was lucky enough to meet a mother and her newborn baby who had been delivered the night before. They received a briefing on the reconstruction of the health centre and its varied functions such as family counselling, medicine supply, 24-hour emergency assistance and dental surgery which are all available to the local community residents.
The Puskesmas provides 24-hour care to approximately 26,000 people in the area, and along with the other 7 Puskesmas reconstructed as part of the program, is making pregnancy and childbirth safer for Indonesia’s women and children.
The Hon Alan Griffin MP, who was part of the delegation, observed, “It is clear the aid program is delivering real services that are very basic to the needs of the community.”
The other delegates involved in the visit were Senator Hon Richard Colbeck, Senator Ursula Stephens and Rowan Ramsey MP.
Photo at right: Alan Griffin presents toys for the Puskesmas waiting room
Click here for further information on the Australian Indonesia Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health
