UNS – In commemoration of the National Midwifery Day, the Midwifery Student Association (Himadan) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held an online discussion entitled ‘One Step Closer To Be A Real Midwife’ on Wednesday (24/6/2020) through a live Instagram live at @himadanuns Instagram account. This occasion invites a midwife, Novita Kumalasari, as the main speaker, from Kalitudu, Bojonegoro, Jawa Timur, Community Health Center (Puskesmas).
In carrying out its role, a midwife has a role and function as a manager, educator, and researcher. Within its role as manager, a midwife is responsible for various programs such as health promotion, surveillance which includes carrying out a systemic and continuous collection, processing, analysis and interpretation of data, as well as disseminating information to units that need action to be taken. Midwives also play a role in Traditional Sanitary Coaching (HATRA). Midwives as a manager also responsible for the collaboration with cross programs and cross sectors.
Novita mentioned that the role of midwives as manager during the COVID-19 pandemic, cannot be implemented optimally. “During the COVID-19, cannot maximal due to the implementation of the Posyandu for Toddler and Elderly is not permitted, schools are still closed, meetings are restricted,” explains Novita.
Further, midwives as educators have the role to provide education in a sustainable and integrated way. Midwives can also be used as counseling places. Public counseling in education must also be done by midwives. In delivering education, according to Novita, midwives must be adaptive and communicative.
As a researcher, midwives need to have real data. When researching, documentation is required. Midwives also need to write down what is done and do what is written. The documented data will be useful for future research. They also need to have various skills to support miscellaneous tasks such as managing the budget, coordinating Puskesmas planning, and many others.
Meanwhile, midwife career opportunities can be found in both government and private sectors. Midwives can also perform independent practice based on Regulation No. 4 of 2019 regarding Midwifery, for this, they need to take professional education, both for midwives with academic education and vocational training.
In this online discussion, Novita also gives tips on choosing the campus. First, choose education institutions with at least ‘B’ grade accreditation, then choose a linear study program. Lastly, choose the campus that offers a wide connection option. During the education period, there are a number of activities that can be done such as building networks as wide as possible, actively participated in organizations, improving communication with alumni, and finding the interests and talents that are honed as an added-value after graduation. Humas UNS/Zalfaa/Dwi
