"Here, this problem is still getting less attention. This is a very unfortunate reality for a country such as Indonesia, which is experiencing positive developments," Washburn stated.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is among the priority countries for handling maternal and infant deaths during childbirth, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Indonesia Acting Director Ryan Washburn said.
"Here, this problem is still getting less attention. This is a very unfortunate reality for a country such as Indonesia, which is experiencing positive developments," Washburn stated, after the submission of Evidence Summit recommendations in Jakarta, on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the health and safety of mother and baby is one success indicator that a country must pursue; therefore, the Indonesian government has a responsibility to handle this problem.
With the number of infant mortality reaching about 200 babies per day, Indonesia should be given priority for its efforts to improve the quality and quantity of childbirth process.
"USAID has found a global methodology (to handle this issue), while Indonesia has shown its serious intention by starting to suppress maternal deaths at the national level," Washburn remarked.
The Evidence Summit is a follow-up of a joint study between the Indonesian Sciences Academy (AIPI) and the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 2013.
The study was conducted by AIPI, from July 2016 to March 2018, and gained direct support from USAID to review various topics related to maternal and newborn deaths.
The study found that Indonesia lacked valid data and information about maternal and neonatal deaths since decades.
The results of the Evidence Summit are expected to support the formulation of health policy reforms to address the problem of maternal and neonatal deaths within the country through an evidence-based health policy.
Reported by Roy Rosa Bachtiar
(Y013/INE)
(T.Y013/A/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
