Minister Of Health Asks Midwives To Be Able To Multi-Role

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin asked the role of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) to improve the professionalism of members through learning and collaboration.

"IBI must continue to improve the quality of professionals, learning, and collaboration so as to produce competent health workers, especially midwives who carry out their roles as care service providers, decision makers, communication liaisons, and managers," said Minister of Health Budi when delivering his opening speech for the Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. 71 PP IBI online followed from YouTube in Jakarta, Friday 24 June, quoted from Antara.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic, which had not yet ended and had an impact on maternal and child health services, was only one of the many challenges in the health sector today.

At the very mature age of IBI this year, said Budi, the midwife profession has played a role in improving access and quality of maternal and child health services, family planning (KB), and reproductive health, as well as participating in the 2022 World Immunization Week.

According to him, the government continues to strive to reduce maternal, infant and under-five mortality rates, and reduce the number of stunting, malnutrition, and malnutrition cases, as well as increase immunization coverage through a life cycle approach by increasing access and quality of health services.

"Together with professional organizations and related 'stakeholders', the government has an obligation to prepare and provide competent health human resources, complying with the provisions," he said.

Budi said midwives as health workers at the forefront of maternal and child services, must understand the concept and proper implementation since pregnant women, postpartum mothers, newborns, toddlers, as well as women's reproductive health and family planning services.

"I congratulate the Indonesian Midwives Association which celebrates its 71st birthday today. With the theme The Long Journey of the Midwife Profession Creating a Superior Generation Towards Advanced Indonesia, it provides an opportunity to continue to contribute in taking an active role in the profession," said Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

Meanwhile, General Chairperson of PP IBI, Dr. Emi Nurjasmi, M.Kes, said that the number of midwives in Indonesia is around 500 thousand. This number is still in the verification process through data integration from a number of related professional organizations.

As many as 70-75 percent of midwives are spread among the community, especially in various primary services and their networks to facilitate access to services for the community, Emi added.

The even distribution of midwives encourages people to rely on the services of midwives in accessing maternal, infant and toddler health services as well as the Family Planning (KB) program.

"We see data from the results of basic health research in 2018, almost 82.4 percent of services for pregnant women are provided by midwives, both in primary and referral facilities. 62.3 percent of deliveries are assisted by midwives. The requirements for midwife assistance according to the scope of the law apply, " he said.

These provisions include a Professional Registration Certificate (STR) and a practice permit, so that in serving the community, midwives and patients are protected because they comply with the stipulated conditions.

In the family planning service sector, said Emi, 76.4 percent are served by the midwife profession, because it is more affordable financially and is close to the community.

"The 2019 Midwifery Law regulates the existence of the midwife profession which is strictly regulated as the main reference for the midwife profession. Including changes and developments will be carried out according to applicable regulations," said Emi Nurjasmi.