Family planning covers 24.6 million fertile couples

Family planning covers 24.6 million fertile couples

JAKARTA (JP): The government's family planning program has recorded 24.6 million fertile couples as regular users of contraceptives, State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono said yesterday.

Haryono, who chairs the National Family Planning Board, told a hearing with the House of Representatives that these "active" family planning participants represent about 71 percent of the total fertile couples in the country.

In contrast, only 66 percent of child-bearing-age couples were using contraceptives in April 1994.

During his hearing with Commission VIII, Haryono also pointed out that privately-run services are assuming a greater role in the family planning program, which used to be run primarily by the government.

Based on November figures, as many as 35.4 percent of all the couples using contraceptives go to privately run facilities, including hospitals, clinics, general practitioners and midwives.

The minister also explained that family planning for many young Indonesian couples has now become commonplace, making the government's job of campaigning easier.

"Today, the government no longer needs to push them to join the family planning program," he said.

He added that now some couples even feel ashamed if they are not practicing family planning.

The minister said that more and more married couples under 30 are also joining the family planning program.

Of the forms of contraceptives used, Haryono said that there is a growing tendency toward long-term contraceptives such as injections, implants and intra-uterine devices (IUDs).

Pills and condoms have become "less fashionable", he said, adding that the government has plentiful supplies of both. (01)