Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) is working to expand the coverage of long-term contraceptive methods (MKJP) in Aceh to reduce the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the province.

In a statement received here on Tuesday, head of the BKKBN’s Aceh Provincial Representative Office, Sahidal Kastri, said that in 2023, his office is targeting to expand MKJP coverage to 12,435 acceptors, comprising 4,700 IUD (intrauterine device) acceptors, 5,750 implant acceptors, 1,980 women surgery method (MOW) acceptors, and 5 male surgery method (MOP) acceptors.

The agency is continuing to expand access and improve the quality of family planning services at health facilities in Aceh since the family planning program has not reached its target in the province for two years.

In 2022, MKJP Aceh covered 7,589 acceptors, far below the BKKBN's target of 24,460 acceptors.

Kastri informed that the trend was dangerous and could trigger an increase in MMR and stunting at birth.

The low achievement of the MKJP target was due to the low quality of service and the lack of seriousness and commitment to family planning services on part of the local government and regional organization (OPD), he said.

"In addition, the realization of the special allocation fund (DAK) for MKJP in Aceh is still low. For example, in 2023, the total operational costs for family planning services through DAK MKJP in Aceh have been set at Rp7.1 billion, while the operational costs for MKJP family planning services are around Rp5.4 billion,” he informed.

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Therefore, from February 26 to 28, 2023, his office expanded access and intensified family planning services at health facilities in order to achieve the 2023 MKJP target.

He said he hopes that the effort will increase the commitment and cooperation of partners and local governments for intensifying family planning services at health facilities and identifying the number of health facilities and independent midwives practices (PMBs) that could serve the MKJP program.

In addition, the agency is strengthening the capacity of health facilities and networks providing Family Planning and Reproductive Health (KBKR) services, especially MKJP and Postpartum KB (KBPP), including by improving the quality of KBKR services by strengthening partnerships, he added.

"Later, after targets for each district/city are set, the implementation must be able to achieve the target. In order to do that, we must coordinate with the regional government regarding the target along with last year's evaluation to prevent low achievement," he said.

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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta S
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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