In a statement released by the ministry on Friday, director of health for productive age and elderly, Nida Rohmawati, informed that around 1.6 million children in Indonesia have been born with disabilities, and 52 thousand Indonesian children aged 5–17 have Down Syndrome.
Meanwhile, she said, according to 2024 election data, there are as many as 1.1 million adults with disabilities.
"They actually have their own potential, but how do we find out from an early age and intervene so that we can develop their potential, so that they can be independent and have achievements, be productive and become champions?" she asked.
She explained that Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health regulates services for people with disabilities. Her party is also waiting for government regulations that further explain the matter.
"So, for ordinary people, the health services are different from those for people with disabilities. People with disabilities receive services throughout their lives," she informed.
Therefore, she encouraged people with disabilities to register themselves with National Health Insurance.
"Then we start with actual promotive and preventive efforts. Starting from teenagers, the mother-to-be is healthy during pregnancy, and what to do if the baby is born with special condition. Health services are provided according to individual conditions," she said.
Moreover, she added, the ministry is collaborating with the Association of Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (POTADS) to hold social activities to clean the ears of people with Down Syndrome.
This is because people with Down Syndrome have different ear shapes, allowing earwax to accumulate easily.
The ministry is also collaborating with various communities, such as Deaf Friends and the Foundation for the Development of Disabled Children (YPAC), to disseminate information and provide support for people with disabilities.
Further, the ministry is working with other ministries to empower people with disabilities, for instance, it is collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide helping devices.
"Regarding opportunities to get a place in the working world and so on, we have also included the role of the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to provide special quotas for people with disabilities," Rohmawati said.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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