The Lifebuoy Berbagi Sehat programme started in 2004, with a mission to contribute to a healthier Indonesia by creating public awareness to initiate mass-level behaviour change with regard to proper handwashing with soap.

Although Indonesia has achieved 100 per cent soap penetration, it was found that overall handwashing habits amongst the population were still low, and a high proportion of people neglected washing their hands with soap at critical times. The programme was designed to tackle this problem with the hope that hygiene education could ultimately reduce the number of children dying from diarrhoea and respiratory diseases. Focus has also been put on the positive effect handwashing with soap can have in cutting the risk of infection from Avian flu.

Programme partners include the ULI Peduli Foundation, Indonesia's ministry of health, local government bodies, the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), schools/university, NGO's and external support agencies including KuIS (Coalition for Healthy Indonesia), Care International, JHUCCP, UNICEF, Nurani Dunia Foundation, Padmaya.

Additionally, media, television, magazines, radio, customers, traditional retailers, and key opinion formers are also part of the programme.

'Mother – The health doctor'

The Indonesian Berbagi Sehat programme is aimed at mothers, as the caretakers of young children, and at school children, with a view to educate them and create healthy habits at a young age.

The programme hinges on the principles of accessibility, honesty, community participation, holistic approach to change behaviour, and sustainability. Together, these principles stem from the premise that a healthy nation is possible if everyone starts from themselves.

Programme Framework

The three strands of the Berbagi Sehat hygiene improvement programme, which together maximise the impact towards hygiene and habit improvement are:

 

Since its launch in 2004, Lifebuoy Berbagi Sehat has been expanding both geographically and in scope. The first year saw activities focused on strengthening physical infrastructure, such as sanitation facilities and community water systems.

In 2005, a wider scope of schools programme empowered teachers and students, and was endorsed by the Department of Public Education and the Department of Health. It has continued to expand geographically, with millions of school children and mothers benefiting.

Lifebuoy Berbagi Sehat has received high recognition from society, including the Citizen Brand Award. In 2009, the programme will be re-launched and will support the national handwashing campaign of the Indonesian Government.