IBI plans giving free services

IBI plans giving free services

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) plans to
provide free medical examinations for pregnant women and free
immunization for infants on the occasion of World Health Day,
which falls on April 7, according to Harni Koesno, the president
of IBI.

She said over the weekend that almost 30,000 midwives are
scheduled to participate in the event.

"According to the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey
2003, the proportion of maternal deaths of females of
reproductive age in Indonesia was 307 per 100,000 births."

"There was a slight improvement from the 1997 figure of 334
and the 1994 figure of 390. However, a lot of hard work will need
to be done if we want to reach the Health Indonesia target of 125
by 2010," she added.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said that 65
percent of births in Indonesia in 2003 were assisted by doctors
or midwives, an increase from 47 percent in 1995.

Ruslidjah Siahaan, the treasurer of IBI, said that funds for
the service will come from the midwives' own pockets.

"According to the national average, a midwife gets around Rp
200,000 (equivalent of US$21) a day. Therefore, the event will
cost about Rp 6 billion, or the equivalent of $631,000."

"Being a midwife is a calling, which is why we do not mind
giving free service." -- JP