Oasis Wangi 

Our technology collaboration with the government in Indonesia

Oasis Wangi (Online Akses Solusi Indonesia Sehat dari banyuWANGI) is a WhatsApp-based health education and companion service for caregivers developed and managed by the Banyuwangi government. The service consists of two features: one-way health education and two-way health education (tele-consultation) with local healthcare workers (tele-counselors). For that purpose, Banyuwangi government prepares two components: trained healthcare workers (tele-counselors) and WhatsApp as a platform to deliver health education and companion.

Oasis Wangi does not provide clinical diagnoses, prescribe medications, or replace in-person medical consultations. Instead, it serves as a trusted channel for health education and consultation, operated by local healthcare workers under the oversight of the Banyuwangi government.

The initiative was developed in response to a challenge faced by many families: gaps in health knowledge and caregiving skills at the household level. Patients and family caregivers often struggle to recognize early warning signs of illness, understand the severity of symptoms, determine when to seek medical attention, and navigate available healthcare services. These challenges can contribute to delays in prevention, treatment, and emergency response. In addition, the initiative aims to empower families to provide caregiving skills (both before patients are brought to health facilities and after discharge), so that caregiving can continue safely and effectively at the household level.

Oasis Wangi consists of 3 main activities:

1. Tele-counselors training: equipping local healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver teleconsultation services.
2. One-way health education: delivering personalized and condition-specific health education through WhatsApp to help patients, family caregivers, and Banyuwangi district residents to make informed health decisions and to provide basic caregiving at the household level.
3. Two-way tele-consultation services: connecting patients, family caregivers, and Banyuwangi district residents with local healthcare professionals through WhatsApp to discuss health concerns, receive trusted health information and guidance to appropriate healthcare services.

For the initial phase, the Banyuwangi District Health Office selected three primary healthcare centers (Puskesmas), namely Puskesmas Kabat, Puskesmas Bajulmati, and Puskesmas Mojopanggung. Approximately 40 healthcare workers have been selected by the heads of their respective healthcare facilities and will be trained to serve as telecounselors during the initial phase.

During the initial phase, Yayasan Noora Health Indonesia supports implementation through digital infrastructure development and healthcare worker training. The initial phase aims to test and refine the service model before expansion across all Puskesmas and healthcare workers in Banyuwangi District. Following the initial phase, Oasis Wangi is intended to be fully operated, managed, and scaled by the Banyuwangi government.