"The KIA book is a guide for families and healthcare providers to identify early health problems during pregnancy and childhood," Harbuwono stated here on Monday.
The handbook can be an effective tool for monitoring the provision of health services to mothers and children, he added.
To promote the book, the Ministry of Health is collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The cooperation includes capacity-building programs for South-South cooperation through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and human resources (HR).
Meanwhile, the "15th Knowledge Sharing Program On Maternal And Child Health Handbook" is being held in Padang, West Sumatra, from September 10–15, 2023.
"This activity aims to accommodate countries to share their experiences and best practices in conducting early detection and integrated health exams for mothers and children by using the KIA handbook," he said.
Participants from nine countries, namely Japan, Cambodia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Timor Leste, and five provinces from Indonesia, namely West Sumatra, Central Java, Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, and North Sulawesi, are attending the program.
In addition to sharing experiences in maternal and child health, participants have visited the general hospital RSUP M. Djamil in Padang, an integrated health post (posyandu) in Solok city, and a group of housewives (Dasawisma) in Tanahdatar district as part of the activity.
Meanwhile, West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi said the KIA book is a very helpful instrument for supporting family and community empowerment.
The book was introduced in 1994 and has been utilized in Indonesia since 1997, while the West Sumatra province has been using the book since 1999.
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Translator: Miko E, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
