On 11 May 2023, at Lesehan Sasak Narmada, Sama Guna Village, Tanjung District, North Lombok Regency, good news came from the Inclusive Family Posyandu (Integrated Health Service) Stakeholder Synergy Workshop. This workshop was held as a result of collaboration between the NTB YLKMP Association, the North Lombok District Government, and the SHEEP Indonesia Foundation. The aim of the workshop was to increase the awareness, knowledge and ability of family posyandu stakeholders in understanding the concept of inclusion in their programmes.
The workshop was attended by various parties, including Setda, Gabungan Organisasi Wanita (GOW) KLU, Bappeda, Dikes, Dikpora, DP2KBPMD, Kayangan Sub-District Head, Kayangan Sub-District Head, Santong Sub-District Head, Village Government from six villages in Kayangan Sub-District, Posyandu Cadre Representatives, Health Commission from Yayasan Sheep Indonesia, and YLKMP Team.
Yunita Aprilina, Chairperson of the KLU Women's Organisation Association (GOW), conveyed the importance of developing an Inclusive Posyandu that is able to serve children or toddlers with disabilities. Posyandu cadres in North Lombok are working hard to improve the quality of inclusive posyandu. Revitalising posyandu towards family posyandu is a necessary step to reduce cases of maternal and infant mortality and malnutrition. Collaboration with religious leaders, NGOs, businesses and other sectors is also an important part of this effort.
As a follow-up to the workshop, an agreement was signed between the Local Government, Village Government, Posyandu Cadres, YLKMP NTB Association, and SHEEP Indonesia Foundation. This agreement ensures the commitment of all parties to jointly implement the Inclusive Family Posyandu in the six villages targeted by the programme in Kayangan sub-district. In addition, cadre training on inclusive family posyandu will be organised in the near future.
This workshop provided some valuable learning. First, the importance of a cooperation commitment document as a guide for all relevant parties to successfully implement the inclusive family posyandu programme in North Lombok. Secondly, evaluating and revising the rules of family posyandu management with a focus on inclusion is an important step to improve the accessibility and diversity of health services provided by family posyandu. Finally, the involvement of the health office, puskesmas, and women's organisations in the training of inclusive family posyandu reflects strategic cross-sector collaboration to improve the quality of health services holistically and sustainably in North Lombok District.
