13 May 2025 | FMHS, UNIMAS, Kota Samarahan – A delegation from the Ikatan Bidan Kabupaten Sintang (IBI Sintang), Indonesia, visited the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) on 13 May 2025. The visit focused on exploring opportunities for academic collaboration, professional development, and midwifery education upgrading.
The delegation, consisting of midwives and midwifery trainers was led by Dra. Siti Musrikah, M.Si, Advisory Board Member of IBI Sintang, and Nyemas Yuli Sri Ayu, AMd.Keb, S.K.M, Chairperson of IBI Sintang. They were accompanied by Dr. Bdn. Nursari Abdul Syukur, M.Keb, Head of the Midwifery Department at Poltekkes Kalimantan Timur, and Bdn. Rahmawati Wahyuni, M.Keb, Head of the Bachelor of Midwifery Applied Science Programme.
The group was welcomed by Professor Dr Helmy Hazmi, Deputy Dean of Industry and Community Engagement. Also present were Encik Dev Nath Kaushal, Encik Md Fadlisham bin Samsuddin and Puan Chen Ai Ling from the Faculty’s Department of Nursing.
The delegation highlighted their Education Advancement Program, which has enabled 142 midwives to pursue higher education through partnerships with Indonesian institutions. They expressed strong interest in upgrading the qualifications of their midwifery workforce from diploma to degree level. They hope to expand similar opportunities with Malaysian universities, particularly FMHS UNIMAS.
Discussions too centred on potential areas of cooperation, including inviting UNIMAS faculty members as guest lecturers, conducting short-term training courses, and exploring professional exchange programmes.
IBI Sintang currently represents 833 licensed midwives, many stationed in remote and interior villages across the Sintang Regency in West Kalimantan. These midwives often face challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited medical equipment, and inadequate facilities, with many working out of small rural health facilities such as Pustu (auxiliary health posts), Polindes (village birthing centres), and Poskesdes (village health posts).
Midwives in these areas provide round-the-clock delivery services, frequently handling emergencies during patient transport due to long distances and damaged roads. Some deliveries have even taken place in vehicles or boats en route to referral hospitals.
Both parties acknowledged shared public health challenges, especially in maternal and child healthcare in rural settings. FMHS expressed interest in supporting initiatives to improve workforce competency and reduce maternal and infant mortality.
The delegation toured the Clinical Skills Laboratories, Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC), and Anatomy Museum, observing how FMHS integrates hands-on training into its nursing curriculum.
The visit concluded with a group photo and informal networking session. Follow-up discussions are planned to develop joint training and academic exchange initiatives. HH
