"We must strengthen our family planning programs," said Wira Hartiti, head of the reproductive health working team at the ministry, on Thursday.
She noted that the number of reported maternal deaths in all 38 provinces is still very high. The number of maternal deaths reached 4,040 per 100,000 live births in 2022 and rose to 4,482 in 2023. The figures are still far from the 2024 target of 183.
The ministry's Maternal Perinatal Death Notification (MPDN) in 2022 showed that the number of maternal deaths reached 4,040 per 100,000 live births and rose to 4,482 in 2023. The figures are still far from the 2024 target of 183.
Hartiti said that the current increase in MMR is mostly due to non-obstetric complications or other health problems outside of pregnancy.
"Stunting is also a cause. This happens because of the increase in non-communicable diseases among women," she said.
She noted that in 2023, the main causes of maternal deaths were bleeding, pre-eclampsia, and infection.
Hartiti said that pregnancy at a very young age or a very old age, short inter-pregnancy intervals, and bearing too many children are the biggest risk factors for maternal deaths.
According to her, high-risk factors lead to high MMR because women with risky pregnancies are difficult for health workers to treat.
To this end, she emphasized the importance of ensuring and strengthening the on-target use of contraceptives among couples of reproductive age.
Many efforts have been made by the ministry, too, such as interventions before pregnancy, during pregnancy, during delivery, and during the postpartum period, she said.
It is essential to increase awareness about reproductive health and pregnancy in adolescence, she added.
Related news: Indonesia draws up strategy to reduce maternal deaths
Related news: Minister seeks to expand midwives' role to lower maternal mortality
Translator: Lintang Budiyanti, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
