Adelaide University Collaboration - Universitas Airlangga

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION

To expand access to maternal and child healthcare, Adelaide University and Universitas Airlangga have partnered on a project aimed at strengthening the capacity of six hospitals and health departments across Samarinda, Kutai Kartanegara, and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, as well as Pasuruan, Jombang, and Tuban in East Java, Indonesia.

Improving Quality of Maternal Healthcare Services in Six Districts in Indonesia

Nur Baiti Rizqiyah and her daughter Assifa Salsabila Humaira at Rapak Mahang health facility, Kutai Kartanegara. Photo: Satria Nugraha

Maternal and newborn health is a critical component of public health. Ensuring accessible and quality care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period is essential to safeguarding the health and well-being of both mothers and newborns.

To expand access to quality maternal healthcare, Adelaide University and Universitas Airlangga have partnered on a project to strengthen the capacity of six hospitals and health departments across Indonesia. The project covers Samarinda, Kutai Kartanegara, and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, as well as Pasuruan, Jombang, and Tuban in East Java.

The collaboration includes staff training to assess and improve the quality of nursing care, equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver better-quality maternal healthcare services.

The project is led by Dr Afzal Mahmood and Prof Gustaaf Dekker from the University of Adelaide, together with Prof Budi Santoso, Prof Hendy Hendarto, and Dr Muhammad Ardian Cahya Laksana from Universitas Airlangga. The project team also includes Prof Brahmana Iskandar, Syarifah Masitah, Dr Muhammad Hud Suhargono, Ismi Mufidah, and Dr Sulistiawati.

The project is supported by the East Kalimantan Provincial Health Office and the district-level health offices of the participating regions.

The project was funded by the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).