In the district of Poso, Central Sulawesi, a challenge has emerged: as seasoned vaccinators approach retirement, a void emerges where new recruits, lacking the formal induction into their roles, must step in. To address this issue, a collaborative endeavour was set in motion by the district health office in Poso, in conjunction with the provincial health office of Central Sulawesi, the health training centre of Central Sulawesi, and WHO Indonesia. Together, they embarked on a joint initiative aimed to provide essential immunisation training to healthcare professionals in the region.
The focus of this initiative was a comprehensive four-day immunisation training programme that brought together 24 participants representing all primary healthcare centres throughout the district. Gunawan, an immunisation officer from the district health office in Poso, observed that over 70% of the participants were health care workers who had not previously undergone formal training. Among them were both new employees and Civil Servant Candidates (CPNS) embarking on their careers in health care.
The training adhered to the new curricula set forth by the Ministry of Health, encompassing a broad spectrum of topics. These included informative presentations on vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), microplanning, information, education, and communication (IEC), the intricacies of cold-chain and logistics management, the vital aspects of immunisation safety, Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI), as well as the requisite recording and reporting procedures and monitoring and evaluation practices. Additionally, a practical field visit to two primary health care centres was integrated into the programme, providing participants with valuable first-hand insights into immunisation implementation. This immersive experience empowered them to discern opportunities for augmenting and sustaining immunization coverage, while also devising solutions to any obstacles in the process.
Immunisation training participants observing cold-chain management at the primary health centre during the field visit phase of the training (WHO/Rudi Gunawan)One participant, Pratiwi Ayu Wulandari, a dedicated village midwife from Gebungrejo in Poso District, Central Sulawesi, shared her excitement about being selected for the immunisation training in June 2023. As a village midwife, her duties primarily centred around maternal and child health, a mandate that inherently included the administration of routine immunisation programmes. Regrettably, the absence of formal immunisation training had thus far precluded her from directly administering vaccinations at the integrated health service posts. For Pratiwi, the training opportunity offered by the DHO of Poso represented a chance to enhance her skills and to contribute more effectively to the successful implementation of routine immunisation programmes in her area.
One of the training participants, Pratiwi Ayu Wulandari is presenting the result of the group work on microplanning WHO/Rudi Gunawan
Pratiwi remarked, “The wealth of knowledge acquired during this training will undoubtedly of great benefit for my impending role as a routine immunization vaccinator. The microplanning topic was especially insightful; as it enabled me to calculate target, logistics, and monitor the coverage. While my previous role involved administering COVID-19 vaccines, starting this July, my responsibilities will shift to that of a routine immunization vaccinator at across three integrated health centres (Posyandu) within my community.”
By recognising the need for trained vaccinators and taking proactive steps to provide necessary training, the DHO of Poso has effectively championed the agenda of human resources transformation. This initiative aligns with one of the six pillars of the nationwide health transformation agenda. At its core, the mission seeks to bolster the quantity, ensure equitable distribution, and enhance the calibre of the healthcare workforce, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of the community in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
This activity is supported by the Australian Government
Written by Bryan Christian, Vaccination Technical Officer, WHO Indonesia.