New council to advise government on health
New council to advise government on health
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto installed 25 members yesterday to the newly-established National Health Council to advise the government's management of the health sector.
"It is hoped that this council can absorb the public's aspirations and hopes and anticipate the challenges we are facing in developing the health sector," Soeharto said at the installation ceremony at the State Palace.
"I am confident that given your background and with the spirit of public dedication you have shown, you will be able to carry out this noble task."
Heading the list of the 25 names are Kardinah Soepardjo Roestam, the widow of the former cabinet minister Soepardjo Roestam. The other members include scholars, religious leaders and former cabinet ministers like Emil Salim, Suwardjono Surjaningrat and Adhyatma.
The other members are Vice Marshal (ret.) Boediardjo, Ida Bagus Adnyana Manuaba, Bawadiman, Hasan Basri, Ali Yafie, Subki Abdulkadir, Sularso Sopater, Brig. Gen. Djailani, Marsetio Donosepoetro, Darwin Karyadi, Mahar Mardjono, Fahmi Saifuddin, Sunarto Prawirosujanto, Sjamsu Hidajat Ronokusuma, Dadang Hawari Idries, Siti Wuryan Prayitno, Brig. Gen. (ret.) Samsi Jacobalis, Stien Wuntu, Nisma Chairil Basri, Emma Kusumawati Suratman and Soediono.
They will serve until 1997.
Soeharto said the council was established in the hope of encouraging greater public participation in Indonesia's health sector.
"Health is closely linked to other aspects in societal development. Therefore, the endeavor to solve health problems should be the joint responsibility of the government and the public," he said, adding that the new council is expected to provide suggestions and considerations to the government in drafting policies, programs and plans in developing the health sector.
Soeharto said that looking back on the last 25 years, Indonesia has achieved a lot in the health sector, including the establishment of community health centers in every village, the provision of affordable medicine and the deployment of midwives in villages.
All these achievements have helped improve the health of the people, as shown in the declining infant mortality rate and the higher average life expectancy.
Challenges
"But we also realize that the challenges we're facing will not get easier," the president warned.
Greater mobility of the population and rising urbanization have brought about changes in the spread of illnesses and such changes need to be taken into account to effectively plan health policy.
Changing lifestyles also have an implication on health. New problems include the prevalence of stress and the increase in the number of smokers, alcohol consumers and drug abusers.
Although Indonesia must address the health problems of the 26 million people who are classified as poor, the nation must also cater to the health needs of the more affluent, which are often more difficult to solve, Soeharto said.
The improvement in people's income has its downside -- excessive consumption that causes heart complications and other degenerative diseases, he said. (emb)