"We once again remind the health minister and his staff to immediately complete and ratify all implementing regulations of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health," Chairman of House Commission IX, Felly Estelita Runtuwene, remarked here on Thursday.
Runtunewe said her side urged the ministry to fix the derivative regulation of the Health Law as several stipulations are still not in accordance with the Health Law.
Her side considered that the regulation is important as the basis for driving health transformation in the country.
At the meeting between the House Commission and the Health Ministry, House member Kurniasih Mufidayati highlighted that one of the issues in the Health Law-implementing regulation is related to contraceptives.
Related news: DPR endorses expediting quick-win health program in new administration
The implementing regulation stipulates that efforts to improve the reproductive health of school-age children and adolescents are at least in the form of providing communication, information, and education, as well as reproductive health services.
Moreover, reproductive health services for students and adolescents at least comprise early detection of diseases, including screening, treatment, rehabilitation, counseling, and the provision of contraceptives.
She stated that this part could be misinterpreted, such as allowing the use of contraceptives for underage children.
Nonetheless, the Health Ministry has emphasized that the provision of contraceptives for adolescents is specifically for those who are married to delay pregnancy until the mature age to conceive.
In its implementation, contraceptives are not provided in the school environment but rather at health facilities by health workers.
Related news: Parents should also impart education on reproductive health: Gov't
Translator: Tri A, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
