Health Minister Highlights High Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates in Indonesia, Highest in West Java

The Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadadi, has highlighted the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Indonesia. He stated that approximately 30,000 infants and 4,000 mothers die within a single year.

He emphasised that Indonesia’s position remains poor within ASEAN as a result of these high mortality rates. These remarks were made by Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a working meeting with Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday, 14 September 2026.

“If we start, for example, with mothers and infants. Infant deaths are 30,000 per year. Maternal deaths are 4,000 per year. Our position in ASEAN is among the worst,” said Budi.

The Health Minister revealed that the highest maternal and infant mortality rates are found in the West Java region.

“West Java has some of the highest figures, and this is occurring in full-service hospitals,” he said.

Budi mentioned that there are three regencies/cities in West Java with high maternal and infant mortality rates. He revealed that one of the causes of these deaths is cases of infection after patients have received treatment in hospitals.

“In certain regencies, we see why patients are dying in hospitals. It is because of widespread infections. Their hospital hygiene management is not good. This is what we are currently working to improve,” said Budi.

“If the death is due to haemorrhage, that is one thing, but if a patient enters with haemorrhage and then dies three or four days later due to infection, it is certainly a sign of poor infection management,” he added.

According to Budi, this situation demonstrates the need for an evaluation of the quality of hospital services. He emphasised that his department will provide time for hospitals to implement necessary improvements.

Budi added that the Ministry of Health has already identified hospitals with high maternal and infant mortality rates. These hospitals will subsequently receive direct assistance from the Ministry of Health.

“Therefore, all hospitals with high maternal and infant mortality rates have been listed, and we will provide them with guidance,” he concluded.