The High Death Rate Of A Baby Can Be Prevented By The KIA Law

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The DPR highlighted the high infant mortality rate in Indonesia. According to Commission IX member Kris Dayanti, optimizing the Law on Maternal and Child Welfare in the First Phase of the Thousand Days of Life (UU KIA) can reduce the high mortality rate of the baby.

"The Maternal and Child Welfare Law that has been ratified by the DPR has actually provided various instruments that, if optimized, can significantly reduce the mortality rate of mothers and babies in Indonesia," said Kris Dayanti, Thursday, September 5.

Diva Indonesia, which is often called KD, assesses that one of the key steps that can reduce the infant mortality rate is to provide comprehensive support for the welfare of mothers and children. Especially during the first 1,000 days of life (HPK), the phase that starts from pregnancy period (270 days) to children aged 2 years (730 days).

"And this is regulated in the KIA Law, which regulates the growth and development of children, which is a collective responsibility, including the obligations of the Government. So the KIA Law and its derivative regulations must be implemented properly," he explained.

KD also said that the Government needs to intensify education and socialization about the importance of preparing for pregnancy through three phases. "Whether it's a phase before pregnancy, during pregnancy and after giving birth, mothers and children should consume nutritious food," added the legislator who will compete in the Pilkada.

Based on information from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), infant mortality is the highest due to premature birth before the 37th week of pregnancy. This is often caused by early marriage and problems during pregnancy.

The infant mortality rate in Indonesia itself is above 15 (deaths) per 1,000 (born to babies). The birth rate of infant mortality in Indonesia is known to reach 78 thousand per year.

"There must be concrete steps and policy breakthroughs from the Government. Not only is it coordinative as it is now, but it can be optimized with the budget to be more effective and aggressive in solving problems faced by mothers and children," said KD.

Furthermore, the legislator from the East Java V electoral district said that support from the Government must also be carried out evenly to remote areas. That way, said KD, all mothers in Indonesia can get good education and understanding of balanced nutrition when pregnant until the child is born.

"This includes increasing awareness about the importance of prenatal and postnatal care. Educational campaigns on the nutrition of pregnant women, the dangers of early marriage, and the importance of immunization can certainly help greatly reduce infant mortality in Indonesia," he explained.

In addition, KD emphasized the importance of implementing policies that support the health of mothers and children. Such as longer maternity leave for working mothers, and protection for early marriage.

"National programs that focus on pregnant women and babies to ensure they get adequate nutrition must be widened. This can reduce the risk of premature birth and other complications," explained KD.

The woman who is also a candidate for mayor of Batu added that improving the country's health care facilities is very much needed to support the child's birth process to be better. Especially, conveyed by KD, in terms of training for medical personnel so that they can handle complications of pregnancy and premature birth.

"Support for health facilities is also very much needed in various regions, so there should be no lack of medical needs and infrastructure. Because we know that infrastructure problems are also often a health problem in the regions," he said.

KD stated that the problem of health facilities must be one of the priorities. He also highlighted the news that a patient at Dr Pirngadi Hospital, Medan, North Sumatra, who died as a result of hospitals running out of medicine.

"This case must be an important alarm for the Government because it is very concerning. This incident shows a shortage in the hospital service system, especially regarding the availability of medicines that are urgently needed by patients," explained KD.

"The quality of health services that should be a top priority for the community is still far from expectations," he added.

Commission IX of the House of Representatives in charge of health affairs emphasized that it is important for hospitals, local governments, and other stakeholders to provide transparent explanations to the public regarding the cause of this incident. KD said that the problem of running out of drug stocks must be investigated whether it was due to budget problems, distribution, human error or other factors.

"The government and hospitals need to take concrete action to address health problems that harm the people," he said.

"Remember, it is the right of the people to obtain adequate health insurance and services from the state in accordance with the constitutional mandate," concluded KD.