When a group of dedicated nursing students from a Catholic institution stepped into a devout Muslim neighborhood in Banjarmasin, they brought more than just medical care; they brought a lesson in intercultural harmony and the true meaning of community healing.
Banjarmasin, Veritas Indonesia. Between April 13 and May 21, 2026, the quiet alleys of Neighborhood 25 (RT 25) in Kuin Cerucuk, West Banjarmasin, witnessed a unique collaboration. A team of nursing professional students from the Suaka Insan Institute of Health Sciences arrived not just to complete their gerontological nursing practicum, but to immerse themselves completely in the lives of the local elderly.
What began as a standard clinical rotation quickly evolved into a comprehensive community empowerment initiative, leaving a lasting impact on both the residents and the healthcare providers.
A Mission of Care in Kuin Cerucuk
To address the complex needs of the aging population in RT 25, the nursing program deployed a dedicated team of seven professional nursing students. Led by Alessandra Dielfiony Sipayung, S.Kep., the team included Era Indriani, S.Kep., Fransiska Natasha Fardi, S.Kep., Norwita Dwi P, S.Kep., Stefani, S.Kep., Yosafat Eliahkim Selan, S.Kep., and Yunia Angela M, S.Kep.
They did not work alone. The students were rigorously guided by their academic preceptor, Maria Frani Ayu Andari Dias, S.Kep., Ners., MAN, from the Suaka Insan Institute of Health Sciences, and their clinical preceptor, Sumiati Hartati, AMK, from the Kuin Raya Community Health Center (Puskesmas). Together, they took on the responsibility of independently and collectively caring for seven elderly residents, managing everything from basic health screenings to complex chronic disease education.
Cultural Synergy: Bridging Institutional Values and Local Traditions
The residents of RT 25 are predominantly Muslim and of Banjar descent. The Banjar community is deeply rooted in Islamic religious values, strict social norms, and musyawarah (mutual consultation). Interestingly, despite the Suaka Insan Institute being an institution founded on Catholic religious values, the integration between the students and the community was seamless.
The synergy between the students’ unwavering dedication and the local Banjar values created an environment of profound mutual respect. The elderly felt genuinely respected and, most importantly, “cared for.” This cultural harmony proved to be the perfect foundation for delivering sensitive and effective healthcare.
The Grassroots Challenge: Knowledge vs. Action
Upon their arrival, Muhammad Zaini, the Head of RT 25, alongside his wife, warmly welcomed the students. He highlighted a profound truth that represents a widespread challenge in grassroots healthcare across Indonesia: the persistent gap between health literacy and actual practice.
“Everything the students have taught us through their health education, we actually already knew about 90 percent of it,” Zaini admitted honestly. “However, the execution and the discipline to maintain these healthy habits are where we struggle. We hope that with the presence of these students, the consistency to actually implement these practices can be actively encouraged.”
Zaini’s observation was reflected in the students’ initial health assessments. Many of the elderly residents were battling chronic degenerative diseases, primarily hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic joint pain. Yet, medication adherence was worryingly low. Many seniors admitted to stopping their medication once they felt “healthy,” fearing prolonged dependency or side effects. Furthermore, deeply ingrained cultural dietary habits, such as consuming traditional Banjar foods high in salt, coconut milk, and sugar, exacerbated their chronic conditions.
Transforming Care: From Lectures to Active Demonstrations
Taking the community’s feedback to heart, the nursing students adapted their approach. They realized that theoretical health education must be strictly tailored to the specific, practical needs of the community. Moving away from traditional, monotonous lectures, the students introduced active and practical demonstrations.
To combat chronic joint pain, the students taught the elderly alternative pain management techniques, such as applying warm compresses and practicing deep breathing relaxation. For medication management, they introduced practical tools like pillboxes and emphasized the critical dangers of abruptly stopping hypertension and diabetes treatments. They found that the elderly were significantly more engaged and enthusiastic when they could practice these health activities firsthand.
The student nurses divided their care into two strategic approaches: individualized personal care tailored to each senior’s specific ailments, and collective group care to foster a sense of shared experience. By speaking in the local Banjar dialect during their consultations and respecting local dietary preferences by teaching portion control rather than outright banning traditional foods, the students gained the community’s trust.
Cultivating a Sustainable Support System
Through this dual approach, the students discovered a hidden potential within the community. While the local integrated healthcare post for the elderly (Posyandu Lansia) was running routinely, the concept of mutual support among the seniors themselves had not been fully utilized.
During their practicum, the students successfully planted the seeds for a sustainable support system. Because the residents of RT 25 already possess a strong cultural foundation of mutual aid, the students empowered the elderly to start looking out for one another. They encouraged seniors to remind each other to take their medications and to attend the local health posts together. Furthermore, they actively involved family members, educating them on how to properly support their aging relatives at home.
Ultimately, this initiative proved to be far more than an academic requirement. By bridging cultural divides and shifting the focus from simply “knowing” about health to actively “practicing” it, the Suaka Insan nursing students and their preceptors left a lasting impact. They did not just treat the elderly; they empowered an entire community to independently sustain their health and wellness long after the students had returned to their campus.
Veritas Indonesia is committed to continuously presenting articles that strengthen faith and proclaim the truth. We invite you, our loyal readers, to support the operational needs of this ministry through a donation to BCA account number 6440054739 under the name of Lucia Margaretha Audrey Niron (Treasurer of Veritas Indonesia). To ensure your donation is properly received and recorded, please send the proof of transfer to our Content Editor, Maria Frani Ayu, at 081230038196. Your contribution, no matter how small, is a tangible expression of our togetherness in this ministry.
