Jember's Homecare Programme Brings Healthcare to Remote Mountain Residents

Imroah patiently soothed her crying son Kevin Maulana. At 18 months old, Kevin weighs only 7 kilograms, far below the average. Born weighing 2.3 kilograms, the toddler is battling stunting. Despite living on a mountain slope in Tenap Hamlet, Sucopangepok Village, Jelbuk District, Jember Regency, Imroah’s spirit to care for her child has never waned. She regularly has his health checked, especially now that the Jember Regency Government has introduced the Homecare programme, an innovative health service that proactively visits the homes of residents in need, prioritising vulnerable groups. Although she lives on a mountain slope, healthcare access for Imroah’s child is now much closer thanks to this programme. She is delighted that she no longer needs to travel long distances for treatment. “Alhamdulillah, I am happy there is this service, so my child can be healthy. I am pleased to be looked after by the government,” she said while holding formula milk provided by medical staff from the Jelbuk Community Health Centre (Puskesmas) after a check-up on Saturday, 25 July 2026. Not far from Tenap Hamlet, Tancak Hamlet is also a target of the programme. In this hamlet, with its steep and isolated road access, lives Intan Nur Aini, a 19-year-old young mother who gave birth to her daughter, Nadira Kansa Aulia, just two months ago. During her pregnancy, Intan was categorised as a high-risk pregnant woman due to her young age and Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK). This condition made Intan one of the targets of the Homecare programme during her postpartum period. The arrival of health workers from the Jelbuk Puskesmas to conduct check-ups directly in her village has been a great help. “Now I don’t have to walk far anymore. Alhamdulillah, they can come here,” she said. “The road is difficult. Bringing a small child like this is very hard, it’s hot and I feel sorry for the baby.” The Homecare service indeed implements a proactive system by visiting the homes of residents in need. The programme is prioritised for vulnerable groups, such as low-income communities, chronic disease sufferers, the elderly, people with disabilities, high-risk pregnant women, and children experiencing stunting. Head of the Jelbuk Puskesmas, Machus Rovida, said the homecare service is carried out routinely to monitor the health conditions of vulnerable communities. He explained that the Jelbuk Puskesmas is currently responsible for health services in six villages with the support of around 40 health workers, including nurses and midwives. He also detailed the number of residents targeted for health services in the area. “For pregnant women, almost 50 per cent of the total number fall into the high-risk category. The number of toddlers with problems or stunted toddlers also reaches more than 200 children. Meanwhile, we also have data on the elderly and people with disabilities,” he said. He stated that in carrying out their duties, they do not consider the condition of the terrain. No matter how extreme the terrain that must be traversed, services must still be provided so that healthcare access can be felt equally by all residents, especially those who have difficulty obtaining health services. “Earlier we walked for almost an hour. The terrain was up and down, and there were ravines on the right and left sides. So, four-wheeled vehicles cannot enter and the location can only be reached on foot,” he explained. He hopes that through this programme, access to health services can be more equitable and fair so that the community can receive good services. He also expressed his gratitude to the Regent of Jember, Muhammad Fawait, for launching this programme. “Alhamdulillah, thank you to Gus Regent because this programme has been launched. This programme gives us health workers the spirit to carry out homecare services to the maximum,” he said. “Hopefully our goals and hopes can be achieved, so that all residents of Jember Regency can receive health services.”