Iruni MAHAGEDARA is a recipient from the University of Sydney. Iruni undertook the Public Health Study Tour (PHST) in December 2025. Iruni studied a Master of Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology).
Q: Why did you decide to undertake the Acicis Public Health Study Tour?
Coming from a medical and clinical epidemiological background (MBBS; MMed (ClinEpi), USyd), with ongoing professional engagement in public health (FRSPH, UK), I undertook the Acicis Public Health Study Tour to better understand how public health systems operate beyond theory. I wanted to see how policy, governance, and culture shape health outcomes in real-world settings, particularly within the AsiaPacific region. The tour offered an opportunity to learn directly from Indonesian practitioners, academics, and communities, and to ground my academic training in lived experience.
Q: What did you find to be the most challenging about your experience on the PHST?
The most challenging aspect was recognising how difficult it can be to translate strong national policies into effective local action. Indonesia has well-defined health strategies, but their success often depends on local leadership, capacity, and coordination. Seeing how decentralisation can create both opportunity and fragmentation challenged my earlier assumptions and highlighted the political realities that influence public health outcomes.
Q: What public health issues in Indonesia have you become more interested in/aware of as a result of this tour?
The tour deepened my interest in stunting, malnutrition, and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). I also became more aware of environmental health issues such as sanitation and waste management, and how closely these are linked to social and economic conditions. Seeing these challenges firsthand reinforced the importance of community-led and culturally grounded approaches.
Q: What was your favourite field trip?
My favourite field trip was visiting the Kali Code community in Yogyakarta. The revitalisation of the riverside settlement, led by local residents and community leadership, was a powerful example of genuine community ownership. It demonstrated how sustainable change often begins at the grassroots level, with government support following community success rather than directing it. It was a clear reminder that sustainable public health outcomes often start with trust, local leadership, and community ownership rather than top-down interventions.
Q: How do you think the Public Health Study Tour will influence your future career or studies?
This experience has reshaped how I think about public health practice. It has reinforced my interest in global and environmental health and highlighted that technical expertise alone is not enough. Moving forward, I am more conscious of the importance of humility, collaboration, and cultural understanding in achieving meaningful health outcomes.
Q: What did you most enjoy about the seminar series?
I particularly enjoyed hearing directly from Indonesian academics and practitioners who shared honest insights into the realities of working within the health system. The seminars connected data, policy, and lived experience, and encouraged open discussion and critical reflection rather than purely theoretical learning.
Q: What was your favourite aspect about visiting Indonesia?
My favourite aspect of visiting Indonesia was learning from communities in their own context. Experiencing the culture, values, and strong sense of collective responsibility helped me understand public health beyond data and policy. The warmth and openness of the people we met made the experience both meaningful and memorable. I also valued the friendships formed with fellow participants on the Acicis Public Health Study Tour. Sharing site visits, seminars, and time exploring cultural locations together created space for thoughtful discussion and reflection. These connections added depth to the experience and are ones I will carry forward beyond the program.
