Personal Reflections from a FOHG Volunteeer

I was excited to be asked to join a small group of FOHG volunteers specialising in microbiology laboratory and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) heading to Kupang, West Timor, led by Dr Smathi Chong, Clinical Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Consultant. Being unfamiliar with this part of Indonesia, I was reassured by the knowledge and experience of Smathi, Trish Green and Rafina Tafsir, both microbiology scientists, as repeat contributors to healthcare in the NTT region.

Ria Wonga, a senior clinical pharmacist at Johannes Hospital welcomed me to the pharmacy department, and Smathi and I provided AMS education sessions and attended ward rounds within the hospital. Other activities included delivering a guest lecture to pharmacy staff and students at a local university and with Ria I joined a health promotions podcast by the NTT health department highlighting the role of pharmacists in medication safety and specifically the role of AMS.

This was a very highly rewarding trip, and as a first-time member I appreciated the combination of hard work, knowledge sharing, and helping to improve the confidence of the pharmacy department within a relaxed environment.

Matt Rawlins
Pharmacist and FOHG Volunteer
June 2026