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)