Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), in collaboration with Danone Specialized Nutrition (SN) Indonesia, will conduct a simultaneous screening for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in mothers across 38 provinces in Indonesia in February 2025.
Anemia remains a pressing health issue and has long been a serious global concern, including in Indonesia. According to the 2018 Basic Health Research, 38.5% or 1 in 3 Indonesian children under five years old suffer from anemia. Anemia prevalence among pregnant women in Indonesia is also still high, reaching 48.9%. Without proper treatment, Iron Deficiency Anemia can affect children’s future health and hinder the nation’s vision to achieve a Golden Indonesia 2045.
Ade Jubaedah, Chairperson of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), emphasized the importance of strong collaboration with various parties to reduce the prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in children. With early detection, interventions such as iron supplementation or appropriate dietary changes for mothers and children can be implemented more effectively.
“One of the concrete actions we will take as a dedication and service of Indonesian midwives is conducting a simultaneous screening in February 2025 to detect anemia in mothers,” stated Ade during a workshop titled ‘Launch of the Initiative for Recommendations on Screening and Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Indonesian Mothers and Children’ in Central Jakarta (11/26).
Enhancing midwives’ role
As providers of maternal and child healthcare, midwives play a strategic role in ensuring the health of mothers, children, and families in Indonesia. They are involved in 74% of pregnancy checkups, 62.7% of childbirths, and over 50% of family planning services. Within the healthcare workforce, midwives account for one of the highest proportions, comprising 26.2% of all healthcare workers.
Therefore, through the workshop held by IBI to commemorate World Iron Deficiency Day, it is hoped that midwives can enhance their role as the frontline of maternal and child health across the country. This includes recommending early screening/identification and prevention efforts to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia.
“Danone Indonesia aspires to the initiative with the Indonesian Midwives Association for the implementation of this educational program, especially in commemorating World Iron Efficiency Day. We hope that this workshop can increase the role of midwives in Indonesia evenly in conducting iron deficiency screening and preventing iron deficiency anemia for mothers and children,” stated Lee Meeng Thong, CEO of Danone SN Indonesia in Central Jakarta (11/26).
According to Ray Wagiu Basrowi, Expert in Community Medicine and Medical and Scientific Affairs Director at Danone SN Indonesia, anemia is a problem that must be prevented as early as possible. The company views iron deficiency anemia screening as key to reducing anemia prevalence in Indonesia, particularly for mothers and children. “Therefore, non-invasive screening, such as monitoring iron intake using a questionnaire-based approach, can serve as an initial solution for identifying iron deficiency anemia risks. This method can be conducted by healthcare workers, including midwives, at primary healthcare facilities,” he concluded.
