Rising from Outbreak, Health Services in Asmat are Getting Better

The measles and malnutrition outbreak on toddlers that happened at Asmat Regency in 2018 brought grief. However, through the Asmat Hope program of Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) with the support of the local government and Agats Diocese, children and communities are now able to recover gradually. Moreover, the health services in this district are also getting better.

Various programs such as capacity improvements for health workers Integrated Health Post cadres and the community, provision of Integrated Health Post equipment, provision of clean water facilities have been carried out. The communities are also assisted in creating nutrition gardens around their home yards.

Yohanes, one of the toddlers in Asmat Regency, has directly felt the impact of WVI's efforts. He was actively accompanied by his parents to participate in Integrated Health Post activities. During the Integrated Health Post, Yohanes' height and weight were measured. He also gets vitamin A and deworming medicine.

Not only that, during the three months of participating in Integrated Health Post activities, Yohanes and other toddlers in Asmat Regency also received nutritious food that had been provided by WVI.

As a reward for being diligent in attending the Integrated Health Post, Yohanes and several other toddlers received a lunch box with a picture of "Fill My Plate" on the lid.

"I took Yohanes to the Integrated Health Post just for him to be healthy. Now, Yohanes is well, so I'm happy. We also make a nutrition garden next to the house. Planted long beans, kale, and cassava. We have harvested kale. Now we can eat vegetables with the children," said Yohanes' mother.

Through the picture "Fill My Plate," WVI intends to educate mothers in Asmat so that they can provide more nutritious food for their children according to what has been recommended and promoted. 

Written by: Duma Panggabean, PCN of Asmat Program Area Wahana Visi Indonesia
Translated by: Klaudia Mawuntu, Intern Wahana Visi Indonesia