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