"We must have developed a strategy to improve the quality of human resources through the reproductive process. Through the life cycle, it is very true to (maintain the quality of reproductive health) from the beginning of life to the elderly," Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo stated when confirmed in Jakarta, Wednesday.
While holding an audience with the Central Board of the Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association (ICMI) in Jakarta, Monday (Apr 3), Wardoyo said that maintaining the quality of reproductive health until old age is one of the most urgent matters to focus on in order to welcome Indonesia's demographic bonus era that is expected to end in 2035.
This is because the demographic bonus era is expected to end at the same time as the transition to an aging population that will pose a challenge for Indonesia in carrying a much larger number of elderly people than members of its productive population.
According to Wardoyo, the quality of human resources should be maintained throughout the cycle of human life. Although the quality of the population of children can be improved by alleviating stunting, the same is not attainable with the elderly population.
The increase in members of the elderly population in 2035, most of whom are old, with low education and economic levels, is a matter of concern for BKKBN, so at least from a health point of view, it can be maintained and not further exacerbate the position of the elderly in future.
"We have to be careful before 2035, if the Japanese, Portuguese, or Madrid are also flooded with the elderly. However, they are elderly who have savings, assets, and high education. When he is old, he can ask young people to invest, but we have not yet," Wardoyo pointed out.
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Deputy for Family Welfare and Family Empowerment of BKKBN Nopian Andusti remarked that the BKKBN already has in place an Elderly Family Development (BKL) program and has formed an elderly school to continue educating old people in maintaining their health.
He is optimistic that the program's implementation would be strengthened through collaboration with ICMI. This is because reproductive health of the elderly is still an important task to be given to schools for the elderly.
"Talking about sexuality issues in old age is something that should still be discussed with partners to avoid sexual deviations that lead to sexual disease in the elderly," he stated.
In response, the Deputy of MPP ICMI Riri Fitri Sari stated that collaboration will be forged with BKKBN in building strong resilience for Indonesia's families, including through alleviating stunting and maintaining reproductive health by holding educational events in collaboration with ministers and experts as the resources.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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