Ministry Of Health: Bill Guarantees The Health Protection Of Babies And Children In Indonesia

Illustration - Posyandu officers check the child's body weight using standardized anthropometry tools. (ANTARA/HO-Kemenkes).

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health ensures that the Draft Health Law (RUU) which is currently being processed in the DPR RI has accommodated the health protection interests of infants and children in Indonesia. "This is stated in Article 47A of the Government's Inventory List (DIM) in the Health Bill," said Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, who was confirmed in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, June 6. Efforts to improve the quality of health services for infants and children are aimed at keeping them growing and developing healthy, intelligent, and quality, as well as reducing the morbidity and mortality of infants and children. The Ministry of Health reports that 96.8 percent of infant mortality and 76.4 percent of child deaths caused by neonatal disorder in Indonesia can be prevented through innovation in health services. Nadia said health efforts for babies and children were carried out by providing Exclusive Breastfeeding for six months, followed by additional breastfeeding foods up to the age of two years. The Health Bill will require every newborn to be screened and immunized to prevent diseases and other health problems through congenital hypothyroid screening equipped with ultrasound equipment at every Puskesmas in Indonesia. "UGDG completeness to detect early fetal health in the womb as well as anthropometric equipment in each Puskesmas to Posyandu in order to be able to see and intervene in the growth of baby and child growth and development," he said.

In addition, the government is also obliged to ensure the implementation of the protection of infants and children by granting the rights of infants and children from acts of discrimination and acts of violence that can interfere with the health of infants and children.