Indonesia Christian Association for Health Services (ICAHS / PELKESI) has conducted a humanitarian response in Central Sulawesi since October 1, 2018. After conducting intensive need assessment and coordination with public health centre (puskesmas), the health service department, village governments and various NGOs, according to the mandate of the organization PELKESI conducted health services in the form of mobile clinic, home visit, health promotion, strengthening posyandu, and building health preparedness for survivors of earthquakes, tsunamis and liquefaction in Sigi, Palu and Donggala Regencies.
Achievements that can be mentioned from October 2018 to September 2019 include:
-
Mobile clinic services have served 9,722 patients in the Kulawi, Gumbasa, Tanambulava, Taweili, Biromaru, Tanantovea, Sindue, Tambusabora Sindue, and Balaesang Tanjung villages. Mobile clinic services have been able to fulfill the rights of affected communities, especially the right to get quality health services in post-disaster situations. Based on disease case findings, there were 2,596 patients (26.7%) with infectious disease cases and 7,126 patients (73.3%) with non-communicable disease cases. The 5 most infectious diseases found are upper respiratory infection (ISPA), dermatitis, common cold, diarrhea, and RFA (acute rheopharyngitis / acute inflammation). While 5 non-communicable diseases are commonly found, namely hypertension, myalgia (muscle aches), dyspepsia (stomach pain), chepalgia (headaches), and diabetes mellitus.
-
Strengthening Posyandu in 10 villages (Tuva, Simoro, West Sibalaya, North Sibalaya, Pantoloan Induk Village, Baiya Village, Wani Satu, Wani Dua, Lero Tatari, and Enu). PELKESI helped immediately reactivate posyandu activities that had been stopped after the disaster. As many as 31 posyandu have been running normally and are supported by trained cadres. PELKESI strengthened posyandu services primarily to fill Table 4: Counseling and Provision of Supplementary Food, and Table 5: Health Services. Activities undertaken by PELKESI:
a. Training on infant and toddler feeding (PMBA) and local food processing for 110 posyandu cadres and 11 village midwives in 11 villages. This activity is to equip cadres to have skills in preventing stunting and malnutrition rates post-disaster as well as to prepare the community to be able to provide healthy and varied food by processing local food stuffs in the vicinity.
b. Providing PMT (supplementary food) support made locally at 31 posyandu toddlers every month since February 2019.
c. Assistance with folding tables and chairs to support 5 posyandu service tables in 10 villages.
d. Aid tools for 31 posyandu in the form of ovens, pans, cormorant, handle pans, teflons, filters, spatulas, and kitchen knives. This equipment is expected to support posyandu activities, especially for toddler supplementary feeding activities.
e. Assistance with anthropometry tools and training on their use for posyandu in 10 villages. Health cadres on duty at posyandu have additional skills in using anthropometric devices (measurement of MUAC, thermometer, height, weight) as well as thermometers and tensimeters. This improves the quality of posyandu services to monitor the development and health of children under five and pregnant women.
f. Filling Table 4 with health promotion about hand washing with soap, food processing for toddlers, exclusive breastfeeding, etc., as well as filling Table 5 by providing basic health services by the Pelkesi medical team. Pelkesi's assistance in posyandu activities, especially for services at table 4 (counseling) and table 5 (health services), have an influence on the presence of pregnant women and toddlers in the monthly activities. This service to fill tables 4 and 5 also adds to the quality of posyandu activities.
g. Postpartum family planning (KB) counseling training for midwives. Postpartum family planning counseling training is able to improve the capabilities of 16 midwives in 10 villages and 6 puskesmas in providing balanced counseling. Postpartum birth control is an effort to prevent unwanted pregnancies and pregnancies with a close / risky distance during the first 12 months after delivery.
- Pelkesi builds disaster risk reduction and preparedness in 10 Villages in Sigi, Palu and Donggala. This activity is coordinated with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the health department, the village government, and other relevant parties. Several efforts have been made by Pelkesi, including:
a. Emergency First Aid (EFA) training for laypersons and village midwives. The training aims to provide survivors with first-aid knowledge and skills, reduce pain and seek appropriate help before the medical team arrives at the disaster / accident site. Residents who are trained by EFA will become a health team from the Village Disaster Preparedness Team formed.
b. Training on traditional health services (acupressure and traditional medicine / herbal medicine) so that residents take care of their health and deal with simple complaints of illness when there is no medical assistance. As many as 30 trainees from 10 villages have shared their knowledge with the people in their villages so that they have known, inventoried and processed medicinal plants around to become traditional medicines such as herbal medicine, jamu (fresh and instant drinks) for fitness and improving health.
c. Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) training, carried out in 10 villages by emphasizing the importance of identifying assets, opportunities and strengths of village communities, people's dreams and hopes to build disaster preparedness and reduce disaster risk.
d. Disaster risk reduction workshops and training in 10 villages. In Simoro and Wani I villages, a village disaster preparedness team was formed, funded by the village fund.
- Other assistance provided by Pelkesi is the distribution of 9,600 feminine kits for women of reproductive age and counseling on reproductive health, distribution of 52 trash bins in the shelter, activating posbindu (integrated coaching post) activities for elderly by providing additional food support, elderly gymnastics, and health checks for the elderly in 12 posbindu since June 2019.
Based on the description of these achievements, PELKESI has contributed to humanitarian assistance for communities affected by disasters in Central Sulawesi, both during the emergency, transition, as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction. PELKESI, as one of the humanitarian organizations engaged in health issues, also strives to fulfill the health rights of people affected by disasters, strengthen posyandu, and build disaster preparedness.
Greetings in humanity.
Palu, October 9th 2019
Indonesia Christian Association for Health Services (ICAHS) /
Persekutuan Pelayanan Kristen untuk Kesehatan di Indonesia (PELKESI) In Central Sulawesi
Jl. Banteng III, Perumahan Bumi Anggur Blok GG 10, Kel. Birobuli Selatan,
Kec. Palu Selatan, Kota Palu,
Telp. +62 8212 3794 879 Email: pelkesi.sulteng@gmail.com
Contact person: Sukendri Siswanto (Project Manager PELKESI in Central Sulawesi).