Health transformation is one of the innovations that the Ministry of Health is very enthusiastic about. The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) in this case is one of the institutions that has contributed to achieving health transformation. As a form of education and forum for discussion, an online seminar was recently held entitled “Integration of Primary Health Services and Improving the Quality of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) to Support Health Service Transformation.” This event is the 18th FPH UI Online Seminar Series which will be held via the Zoom Meetings platform on Tuesday, 22 November 2022.
“This is our effort to broaden the scope of learning to a more general public,” said the Student Affairs Manager of FPH UI, Dien Ashari, S.Sos, M.Sc, Ph.D, in his remarks.
The first material was delivered by Plt. Director of Maternal and Child Health Nutrition, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, dr. Ni Made Diah Permata Laksmi D., M.K.M. Doctor Diah conveyed how MCH is a national priority program. Currently, the risk factors for MCH are still a cause for concern, where there are still 17.3% of pregnant women who experience Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED), 29.5% of babies born prematurely, and 32% of adolescents still experience anemia. Therefore, the national priority program targets all groups, including young women, pregnant women, toddlers, prospective brides, couples of childbearing age, pregnant women, and babies. In its journey, primary health services have an important role. “It takes a strong role of primary health services to be able to provide services according to minimum standards for all people,” explained dr. Diah.
At this seminar, the Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD-KEMD., Ph.D, for giving key presentations. Not much different from dr. Diah, Prof. Dante conveyed an analysis of the MCH problem which was then complemented by a presentation on health transformation. Currently, the status of the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Indonesia are still far from the target. “Based on national-level maternal and perinatal audits, most interventions can only be carried out and can only be achieved if we integrate them into primary care,” said Prof. Dante emphasizes the important role of primary care. In the process of reducing MMR and IMR, the Ministry of Health needs cooperation from various parties, including academics, health professionals, and the public. “We can build a stronger and healthier Indonesia by strengthening primary services as one of the spearheads for improving the quality of health for Indonesian mothers and children in the future,” said Prof. Dante as he closed his presentation.
Apart from the Ministry of Health, there were also speakers from various other professions. From the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), present the Secretary General of the IBI Central Management, Dr. Ade Jubaedah, S.SiT., M.M., M.K.M. Doctor Ade gave a brief explanation regarding IBI, midwifery law, and most importantly the duties and powers of midwives in MCH services. “Midwives are one of the frontline health workers who have to work with all lines in an interprofessional collaboration,” said Dr. Ade.
Also present was the Head of the South Tangerang City Health Service, dr. Allin Hendalin M., M.K.M., who conveyed the practical implementation of MCH that has been integrated with primary services within the South Tangerang City Health Office. From the perspective of the Puskesmas, the Head of the Jereweh Puskesmas, West Sumbawa Regency, H. Rofingi, S.K.M. The Jereweh Health Center is one of the loci that has become a pilot project for the prima posyandu. (BK)
