East Java Provincial Government Declares Joint Movement to Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate in Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi (ANTARA) - The East Java Provincial Government continues to strive to ensure the safety of mothers and children, one of which is through the declaration of the Joint Movement to Reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (AKI) in Banyuwangi Regency, on Sunday. The declaration event, held at the Banyuwangi Regency Pendopo, was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Ratna Susianawati, Assistant for Government and Social Welfare Affairs of the East Java Provincial Government, Imam Hidayat, and others. The Secretary of the Ministry of PPPA, Ratna Susianawati, stated that efforts to reduce the AKI must indeed be carried out collaboratively because it requires the involvement of many parties in its implementation. “Reducing the Maternal Mortality Rate (AKI) must be done in a cross-cutting manner; it cannot be done alone but by promoting the system,” she said. Ratna emphasised that lowering the AKI is not just a programme of one ministry or regional apparatus but a multi-stakeholder programme, with the target for the next five years in the National Medium-Term Development Plan being to reduce the national AKI from 189 per 100,000 live births to 122 per 100,000 live births. “This is a target that is not easy, but we are confident that what is started today in Banyuwangi will become an innovation that can be emulated by other regions, and Banyuwangi will be the initial step for the implementation of the movement,” she said. The declaration, held as part of the Kartini Day commemoration, serves as a commitment to jointly reduce maternal and child mortality rates. “Maternal safety is the top priority; reducing AKI requires cross-sectoral efforts from central government, provincial, local government, cadres, community figures, family support, and the environment,” she stated. Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani stated that Banyuwangi continues to commit to synergistic steps to reduce AKI. She exemplified Banyuwangi’s efforts, such as realising equitable access to health services and encouraging the involvement of cadres, religious figures, and community leaders as cadres in the environment to provide education and increase literacy for prospective mothers and pregnant women. “Currently, there are still AKI problems in Banyuwangi, but the regency government continues to strive to suppress cases through various steps and involving many parties,” said Ipuk.