Jiwa Ibu app: A beacon of hope for women's healthcare in rural Malaysia

AFTER viewing the heart-wrenching documentary 'Kam Agong', which delves into the tragic story of medical negligence in rural Sarawak that led to a mother's demise, Shamala Hinrichsen experienced an epiphany.

The documentary, released in 2018 by directors Lawrence Jayaraj, Agnes Padan, and Wong Chin Hor, chronicles the story of Kam Agong. She tragically passed away in her village, Long Semadoh, a month after delivering her eighth child through C-section at Lawas District Hospital, a facility situated a grueling five hours away.

Shamala, taken aback by the reality of a mother's death during childbirth in her own country, was moved to act.

"The notion of a maternal death in Malaysia seemed almost surreal.

"It spurred me to collaborate with individuals who could help amplify the message about the essential nature of healthcare access and quality for women in remote areas," she told Sinar Daily.

She is the brains behind Hanai, an enterprise devoted to enhancing healthcare accessibility and enlightenment.

Inspired by Kam Agong's story, Shamala created the Jiwa Ibu app.

In her journey, esteemed institutions like Universiti Malaya, St. Georges University London, and the University of Nottingham, Malaysia collaborated on this project.

"We engaged in extensive dialogue with authorities and healthcare communities, including former Deputy Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh, as well as doctors from Sabah and Sarawak, and the very women in need of this solution," she said.

The Jiwa Ibu app, available in Malay and English, is an informative tool dedicated to promoting women's and maternal health.

It encompasses a directory of doctors, a collection of services tailored for women, current health news, and an educational sector zeroing in on maternal well-being, mental health, and domestic abuse.

Now residing in San Francisco, Shamala accentuated the striking healthcare access imbalance between Peninsula Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak, where transportation issues pose significant challenges.

"In such geographically strenuous regions, women often forgo medical care, especially if their livelihood depends on daily earnings or if they lack child care," she added.

The app, functional even offline, curates a repository of essential resources for women, from emergency protocols to vital health information.

"Our goal is to bolster health resources for Malaysian mothers, especially those in indigenous, rural, and marginalised locales.

"We don't aspire to eradicate every challenge, but even a small stride in the right direction counts," she said.

Despite Malaysia's acclaim for its healthcare system, the disparity in access is palpable.

Rural regions, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, face acute shortages, with healthcare facilities often helmed by medical officers who, while dedicated, may need more expertise for specialised procedures.

The budget allocation for the Health Ministry in 2024, which sees a substantial increase, is anticipated to elevate the nation's healthcare services.

With an increment from RM36.3 billion this year to RM41.2 billion next year, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa is optimistic.

"Given this substantial budget, our priority lies in refining our facilities.

"Our funding for improvements has tripled from last year, showcasing our commitment to betterment," she reportedly said.