Indonesian Professionals in Healthcare held their first event on 6 December, "Allied Health Perspective in Paediatrics," at the Sidney Myer Building, University of Melbourne, drawing around 40 in-person and online participants.
Sabrina Suwandi, the community's president and a speech pathologist, said the organisation ran the event to inform the Indonesian diaspora about the role of allied health professionals in child development.
"In Indonesia, when we have health concerns or worries about a child's development, we only think 'oh, let's go to the pediatrician'. But actually in the health world, there's so much other support available," Suwandi said.
The panel brought together six professionals from various disciplines: speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, music therapists, psychologists, and genetic counselors - all of whom frequently collaborate to support child development.
Suwandi said, having health professionals who understand the Indonesian cultural context makes communication with parents more effective. The Consulate General of Indonesia in Melbourne inaugurated the community in April 2025, which now comprises dozens of Indonesian health professionals.
There are things that are difficult to understand because the English can be quite complex.Sabrina Suwandi - President, Indonesian Professionals in Healthcare
Listen to SBS Indonesian's interview with Sabrina Suwandi to learn more about the event, why this discussion matters for the Indonesian community in Australia and why these six professionals were chosen for the panel.
Listen to the full podcast.
