UFARA ZUWASTI: IT WONT BE EASY BUT IT WILL PAY OFF

On the second floor of the State Secretariat, the pastel square roompart of the parloroffers a
stunning view of the nation's culture. You are offered with wonderful painting across the room. I can
see webbing used as tablecloth. This room is where I waited Ufara Zuwasti for the long talking in
August.
Kak Ufa, that's how I called her, appeared with a palpable ease; her presence makes the place feel
open and approachable. She led me to the meeting room, ordering iced coffee for herself and
mineral water for me, where we began our discussion.
-Regina
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: dr. Riyadh Firdaus, SpAn

: Harapan Indah, West Bekasi
: Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (2004-2010)
: @ufara_z
: Working at Faculty Medicine University of Indonesia

Regina: How are you doing, Kak Ufa? Whats your current activities?
Ufara: Im great, thank you. Now, I work as Team Program Manager of Pencerah Nusantara and
General Practitioner at Budi Jaya Hospital.

R: Could you tell me more about Pencerah Nusantara?

U: Pencerah Nusantara is a new program, it is now on its second batch. We basically distribute a
team of health professionals to seven locations throughout Indonesia. The locations are Mentawai,
Karawang, Pasuruan, Ende NTT, Berau East Kalimantan, Lindu and Ogotua East Sulawesi. The main
goal of the program is to strengthen Primary Health Service in the periphery area. The program
conducted by Pencerah Nusantara is the integrative model of intervention, hopefully we could apply
the model of this integrative intervention throughout Indonesia.
R: Kak Ufa, I heard that you will continue your master degree in England, Oxford if Im not wrong?
U: Yes, on October I will go to England for master degree on Global Health in Oxford University.
R: Why Global Health?
U: Early in CIMSA, I was exposed with Global Health issues. In reality, many patients come to doctor
not because of the diseases, but because they just dont understand. Furthermore, many diseases
can be prevented by increasing peoples awareness. From that, we could understand that the
primary work of general practitioner is to prevent people to get ill. In fact, I also want to be a
specialist doctor. But before taking the leaps, I need to see medicine from bigger picture. I need to
see beyond medicine and get the idea of what medicine really is. Or Id also like to work in
goverment sector or international organization.
R: Is it difficult to get accepted at Oxford?

U: Well, entering master degree is different from undergraduate program. The first requirement is
to meet initial standards, like minimum GPA and your personal statements. It is rather relative to say
whether it is difficult or not. But I think, why I got the place is because I have been consistent from
early to pursue what I want. Firstly, studying medicine is a good place to start. Secondly, within my
education path I have been consistent on leading my way. Universities are looking for your
consistency and whats nextwhat will you do by the time you held the degree, and how you
develop yourself in the future.
R: Do you have any influential people affecting your life or your career? A mentor?
U: Maybe my answers would sounds cliche, its my mother. She has a background on healthcare
service, a nurse. Now shes working at ministry of national health. She is very persevering and is
pushing me to my limit.
Secondly, people around me, Prof. Nila Moeloek. In her 60s, she held at least three head positions;
the head of Office of President's Special Envoy on MDGs, Head of PERDAMI, and Head of Dharma
Wanita Persatuan. Her motto is action, action, action. And she is a very good mentor too. When you
discuss with other people sometimes you feel inferior. But its different with Prof. Moeloek, she
appreciates your ideas and she acknowledges well. She is not the type of person who is shy to ask
questions. A very good person for me.
R: What is your aspiration on CIMSA today?
U: Every member should know what potency they could explore from CIMSA. At least for
themselves. Sometimes we could not see the benefit of an organization. When your colleagues are
not working well, your local somewhat been down. People usually degraded or trap in desperation.
There are not many people who are brave to take step forward such as to initiate something. I
encourage CIMSA members to take step forward, to begin something. Many will think that its
complicated and so on. I want CIMSA member to look beyond and have guts to start. Because at the
end it will pay off.
August Meeting Jakarta
U: When I was with Nina within SCORE exchange in Germany, weve been to seven GAs. People kept
talking that Indonesia should be the host. But in fact no one took it, it becomes issues. We think that
we had to do it by ourselves, the one who take responsibility.
Initially, our budget plan was seven billion. Imagining it was a fantastic feeling, but hard to get. By
the time going, we learn it as simple as cutting your budget. During the preparation, I could not even
sleep, waking up around 2-3 AM in palpitation. But everything I had, those what makes me today.
The first time I interact with Prof. Moeloek, asking her to be August Meeting Jakartas Patron.
Hearing our budgeting plan, shes pretty surprised. But by the end of the event, we proved that its
done and profitable, also CIMSA been recognized. August Meeting Jakarta was held on 2011, but
when you ask people in IFMSA what is the best GA, they would still say that August Meeting Jakarta
was the best GA ever.
Working in Office of President's Special Envoy on Millennium Development Goals

U: One day Prof. Moeloek texted me, saying whether she could call me or not. And I said of course.
When she called me, she said Would you like to work with me? Now, here is where I am. I think I
need a job that will accomodate me. I want to study abroad and I have to get scholarshipbecause I
could not afford my study in America or England by myself. At that time, I did not look for how much
the salary is, but I regard this as another milestone for me to be able to applyfor my master. With
experiences I have worked here, I got at least four scholarships at Oxford which I have to choose.
R: On last August Meeting, our friend Aan was elected as SCOPE-D...
U: Wow, Awesome! Congratulations Aan!
R: For this last question, I would ask your message for all CIMSA Member.
U: I want CIMSA member to realize how much potency they have. I want CIMSA member to utilize
their moment at CIMSA. Because CIMSA is active because of its member. If the members are
inactive, CIMSA wont be active either. Dont reverse it. Do more. It wont be easy but it will pay off
at the end.
With those climax, we end our warm discussion. Through that pastel square room I went out with an
easy feeling. Au revoir Kak Ufa, we looking forward to seeing you again.
Regina Ivanovna
Task force for Alumni Director
CIMSA