Jampersal Is Proof That The State Is Here To Help Mothers Give Birth And Babies

Dr. Brian Sriprahastuti, Principal Expert of the Presidential Staff Office. (KSP Doc)

JAKARTA - Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 5 of 2022 concerning Increasing Access to Health Services for Pregnant Women, Maternity, Postpartum, and Newborns through the Maternity Insurance Program (Jampersal) is proof that the state is here to increase access to more inclusive health services.

The regulation, which took effect on July 12, will provide guarantees for pregnant women to access delivery services at health facilities, especially for poor families who are not participants in the JKN (National Health Insurance) contribution assistance.

"Jampersal can reduce the risk of maternal and child mortality in two ways, namely bringing closer access to mothers who need health services and improving the quality of maternal and neonatal health services", said Dr. Brian Sriprahastuti, Main Expert at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP).

“Jampersal also reduces financial constraints to maternal health services and can finance quality services from health workers. Some concrete examples include providing transportation costs, providing food and drink needs, and procuring Birth Waiting Houses", she continued.

Based on data from the latest Intercensus Population Survey (SUPAS) in 2015, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Indonesia is still relatively high at 305 per 100,000 live births. This figure is higher than other countries with the same socioeconomic level.

According to Dr. Brian, maternal deaths occur because women who experience maternal complications are late in receiving maternal health referral services. One of the reasons is the unequal access to health facilities and health services throughout Indonesia. In addition, the biggest obstacle to the accessibility of health services is the financing factor.

The Jampersal program has actually been started in 2011 to respond to the high maternal mortality rate. The Jampersal program has also been proven to be able to contribute to an increase in the coverage of deliveries by health workers in health facilities by around 2.6-3 times.

Through the latest Presidential Instruction, the Jampersal program will be synergized with the JKN and BPJS Kesehatan programs. The President also instructed that this program be escorted by cross-ministerial ministries, not just the Ministry of Health.

KSP itself has also accelerated the implementation of Jampersal as part of the government's efforts to reduce maternal mortality and stunting. KSP itself is active in encouraging educational programs and improving reproductive health services, equity and skill development of health workers, and increasing health referrals.

"KSP is ready to continue to oversee the implementation of the President's instructions regarding Jampersal as a step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage so that Indonesian mothers and children are protected and get guaranteed access to the best quality health services", concluded dr. Brian.