Efforts to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) are still an important concern for the government, both central and regional.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Government of East Kutai Regency through the Health Department conducted a forum activity to strengthen reproductive health services for prospective brides (Kesprocatin) with cross-sectors at the Pelangi Room, Hotel Royal Victoria (06/05).
Representing the Regent of East Kutai, Assistant for Governance and People’s Welfare (Pemkesra) of the Secretariat of East Kutai Regency, Poniso Suryo Renggono, was present to commence the event. According to him, efforts to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) are still an important concern for the government, both central and regional. As part of this effort, multiple interventions have been made to improve the health of mothers and babies.
“Until now, the results are still not as expected. With the concept of a healthy paradigm, efforts to accelerate the reduction of MMR and IMR must be carried out more upstream, namely during pre-pregnancy or pre-conception. This can be pursued by improving reproductive health,” explained Poniso.
According to Poniso, another effort made by the government is by enacting Government Regulation No. 61 of 2014 on Reproductive Health. In these rules, one of the groups that is of concern is the bride and groom. Reproductive health examination services for the bride and groom are expected to be a means to ensure the health of the prospective bride and groom both physically and mentally.
Further, he added, “In this way we guarantee the health of mothers in reproductive age to be able to give birth to a healthy and quality generation as an effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality and prevent stunting.”
Preparing for the demographic bonus in 2035
In line with Poniso, the Head of the East Kutai Health Department, dr. Bahrani, said that currently, Indonesia is still facing many problems in the health sector, including high maternal and infant mortality rates.
“Every hour there are 1-2 mothers giving birth who die. Likewise with infant mortality. There are 8 babies who die every hour. Therefore, the problem is huge. Not to mention the problem of stunting and others,” said Bahrani.
In addition, Bahrani reminded the forum that in 2035, Indonesia will receive a demographic bonus marked by a more dominant productive age than non-productive age. “Now one person of productive age takes care of 2-3 people who are not productive. But in 2035, 2-3 people of productive age will only support one person who is not productive. Therefore, we need to prepare now,” he concluded.
