Through Politics, Dr Stevi Harman Fights for Healthcare Access in NTT
A graduate of the University of Indonesia (UI) and Monash University Australia, Dr Stevi Harman has chosen the political path to expand her impact on community service, particularly in her home province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“I am not changing careers. I remain a doctor. I am simply not the doctor you would meet at a community health centre or hospital,” Dr Stevi stated during an appearance on detikSore on Wednesday (3/6/202lar). “I will become a ‘political doctor’,” she added.
According to Dr Stevi, the medical profession and the role of a senator share the same objective: improving the quality of life for the people. The difference lies in the fact that through politics, she can drive policies and regulations that have a broader impact. “What I am fighting for is not just those who are ill, but how to ensure healthy people do not fall ill. Prevention is key,” said Dr Stevi.
Healthcare Does Not Stand Alone
Dr Stevi believes that health issues cannot be separated from the various social and economic factors that affect community life. “An individual’s health is influenced by many things, ranging from the environment, family, and housing, to access to healthcare services and poverty levels,” she noted. Therefore, efforts to improve public health must be comprehensive and not focus solely on medical services.
Major Challenges to Healthcare Services in NTT
Before entering politics, Stevi completed her internship as a doctor at RSUD SK Lerik Kupang, Puskesmas Pasir Panjang, and Puskesmas Manutapen. This experience provided her with a direct view of the various challenges facing healthcare services in NTT. One primary issue is the geography of NTT, which consists of many islands.
“What people in Jakarta should know is that here, everything is not on a single island. It is easy to travel from one place to another in Jakarta. But this is an archipelago. Imagine how difficult it is to reach one place from another,” Dr Stevi explained. She noted that transport access becomes a major challenge, especially during the rainy season, when many roads turn into rivers, cutting off community access to healthcare facilities. “If someone falls ill during the rainy season, access can be severed, especially for pregnant women who require rapid medical attention.”
Facilities Exist, but Human Resources are Limited
Beyond infrastructure, Stevi also highlighted the shortage of healthcare human resources in several areas. According to Dr Stevi, while the government has built many healthcare facilities and provided medical equipment, the availability of trained personnel to operate these facilities remains a challenge. “Progress has been made in buildings and facilities, but it is not accompanied by human resources,” she said. She added that there are significant efforts to improve the equitable distribution of doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians.
Dr Stevi also found that community health centres in remote areas still rely on generators to maintain operations, including vaccine storage. “Electricity is prioritised for vaccine refrigerators, while other rooms may remain in the dark,” she said. This condition affects the comfort and retention of healthcare workers in remote areas. “We should not expect doctors to be supermen or superwomen who can handle everything. There is no signal, no easy access to water for bathing, and so on.”
Focus on Data Integration and Poverty Alleviation
Now, as a member of the DPD RI serving on Committee III, Dr Stevi works closely with partners related to the health sector, such as the Ministry of Health, BPJS Kesehatan, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN.
One issue currently under the attention of Committee III is the implementation of the ‘One Data Indonesia’ programme through the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN). Dr Stevi believes that integrated data will assist the government in formulating more targeted policies, particularly in addressing poverty and improving healthcare services. “Because poverty in NTT is closely linked to the health levels of the community. I believe the One Data Indonesia programme is excellent for healthcare progress,” she said. She remains confident that policies supported by accurate data will help the government identify the groups of people most in need of intervention in both health and social welfare.