"Midwives have become the spearheads of health services among the people because of their large numbers," he remarked at a webinar on Thursday.
"They are the ones who receive the permission to conduct antenatal care for KB (Family Planning) administration, IUD insertion, and childbirth monitoring," he explained.
Reaching people in the regions necessitates building a stronger health service system, especially using technology, he said.
Thus, when there is a disaster, such as a pandemic, health services in the regions will be more capable of responding to it, he added.
Wardoyo welcomed technology that can help midwives in Indonesia to maximize the quality of health services offered to mothers and children.
"If the service system is strong and midwives become its backbone, then they are effectively the health ministers in villages," he remarked.
"The technology is built for their purpose. This strong network, I believe, is very important and strategic," he said.
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A similar sentiment was expressed by head of the Indonesian Midwife Association (IBI), Emi Nurjasmi.
Midwives have become strategic health workers because they exist among the people and they are on the front line of health services, especially since most midwives in Indonesia reside in remote regions, she explained.
She also welcomed technology that could make midwives' jobs easier in reaching their targets.
"The role of midwives has become very important. I welcome the existence of a digital platform that could make midwives' jobs easier in reaching their target," she added.
In December 2021, there were 266 thousand midwives in Indonesia's health service facilities, with around 37 thousand midwives who had opened their own practices, she noted.
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Translator: Lia Santosa, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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