International Midwife Day, Puan Maharani: Thank You For Your Dedication, Mothers Have Delivered Successfully

Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. ANTARA/HO-DPR RI

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, appreciates and expresses her gratitude for the dedication of the midwives who have helped strengthen the health system in Indonesia, especially for mothers and babies.

"Thank you for the dedication that has been given to a sustainable life. Because of the dedication and services of the midwives, mothers have succeeded in giving birth to their babies safely, and babies born can grow healthy," said Puan in a written statement, in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, May 5th.

Thank you Puan for responding to International Midwife Day which falls today. However, Puan reminded that health workers in Indonesia, including midwives, still have a big job to do because the maternal mortality rate and newborn baby are still quite high.

Based on the 2015 Inter-Census Population Survey, two women in Indonesia die every hour due to complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium.

The maternal mortality rate, which is still the highest in Southeast Asia, he explained, has an impact on the welfare, health and quality of life of women, families and the nation.

Therefore, continued Puan, midwives have an important role in overcoming this problem.

"For that, we should provide the support needed to improve the professionalism and competence of midwives," said Puan.

The chairman of the PDIP DPP assesses that the midwife profession must be properly educated and trained and properly regulated.

According to Puan, the midwifery profession needs an environment to work effectively, including working as part of a supportive team with appropriate resources.

"Therefore, it is important that investment in midwives should focus not only on numbers, but on education, continuous training, regulation, and the work environment," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.