The continuous roar of the ocean waves did not disturb the focus of Muhammad Ivan Pratista, a UGM KKN-PPM student from the Sarmi unit, as he helped a mother named Nice Isabel Kondi deliver her baby in the middle of the open sea near Liki Island, Sarmi Regency, Papua, on Saturday (Aug. 10).
Fortunately, Ivan, a medical student, successfully assisted with a safe delivery. Initially, he intended only to escort the mother to the nearest healthcare facility, as medical personnel were absent.
The story began when Ivan and other members of the UGM KKN-PPM team were carrying out their regular community service program. However, the situation quickly changed when they were startled by the shouts of a local health volunteer nearby.
“Ivan, please help; Mama Nice is about to give birth!” the volunteer cried out.
As a student from the Medical Profession Program and the only health-related team member, Ivan rushed to check on Mama Nice, who was already in the early stages of labor.
Typically, childbirth services in the Sarmi area are provided at the local auxiliary health center (Pustu). However, the healthcare staff was unavailable then, leaving Mama Nice with no other options.
Everyone agreed that Mama Nice should be immediately taken to the hospital on the main island to receive the best care. However, to reach the hospital on the main island, they would have to cross a vast sea using a speedboat.
Moments before heading to the dock, Ivan gathered the necessary medical supplies, though the available equipment was limited.
With only wound care and IV supplies, Ivan quickly ran to the harbor, about 2 km from the Pustu. When Ivan reached the speedboat, Mama Nice was already accompanied by several local health volunteers.
She was experiencing contractions and feeling weak. Soon after, they set off towards the open sea, with Ivan being the only UGM KKN-PPM student accompanying Mama Nice for childbirth on the main island.
Thirty minutes into the journey, with the boat positioned in the middle of the open sea, Mama Nice began experiencing intense contractions, with her labor progressing rapidly, requiring immediate assistance.
With the waves roaring and no land in sight, Ivan prepared to assist Mama Nice. Looking at the limited supplies he had brought from the Pustu, Ivan mustered his confidence and determination to help Mama Nice. With full belief in his abilities, Ivan took control of the situation, deciding to stop the boat in the open sea and begin the delivery process aboard the speedboat.
“Thankfully, the delivery went smoothly, and around two in the afternoon, a healthy baby boy was born, and the mother was also in good health,” Ivan said with relief.
He admitted that assisting a mother in childbirth was an experience he had not anticipated during his KKN assignment on Liki Island.
As the speedboat returned to the island, everyone was overjoyed to welcome the birth of Mama Nice’s child. The joy increased even more when Mama Nice announced the name of her newborn son.
During the return journey, Mama Nice named her newborn Ivan Maureets Teno, after Ivan, who had helped save her and her child’s lives.
“I will name him Ivan,” Mama Nice said, her eyes brimming with tears.
She expressed her gratitude to Ivan for helping her. “I am grateful to those who saved my life and my baby’s life,” said Mama Nice, smiling as she held her baby.
Upon hearing his name given to Mama Nice’s baby boy, Ivan smiled and was moved.
“Ivan is my name, Maureets is the name of the speedboat driver, and Teno is the family name,” Ivan explained.
Ivan’s heroic story quickly spread and became widely shared on social media. His actions showed how a young student bravely faced challenging and limited conditions to save the lives of a mother and child in a remote area, inspiring many.
For Ivan, what he did was not merely a part of his KKN-PPM duties but a calling of humanity. His passion for continuous learning, doing his best, and helping others were the principles that kept Ivan calm and able to assist Mama Nice in such a difficult situation.
Ivan’s story made Dr. Ardhya Nareswari, the UGM KKN field supervisor on Liki Island, proud. The broader UGM community also appreciated Ivan’s bravery, including Dr. Rustamaji, the Director of Community Service at UGM, who oversees the KKN-PPM program.
“I hope this story has a positive impact, demonstrating that KKN-PPM, which reaches almost every region of Indonesia, including the outermost areas, provides experiences that prepare students to love Indonesia even more and serve the nation,” he said.
Liki Island, one of the outermost islands in eastern Indonesia, is in Sarmi Regency, Papua Province. The island has approximately 300 people and 92 households, most of whom are fishermen.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif