Partnership needed for health promotion

JAKARTA (JP): The fourth International Conference on Health Promotion closed here yesterday, ending with a declaration on health promotion strategy toward the next century.

The Jakarta Declaration later announced by Indonesian Minister of Health Sujudi stressed the need for more partnerships with universities, the private sector and entertainment industries to increase health promotion.

The five-day conference was sponsored by the World Health Organization, Indonesia's Ministry of Health and international and non-governmental organizations. It brought together 500 participants from 73 countries.

Indonesia was chosen as host because of its successes in various health promotion programs. Sujudi said he hoped they would serve as models for other countries to follow.

The declaration calls for increased investments in health, empowerment of individuals and the public, increased social responsibility for health and consolidation of infrastructure for health promotion.

The declaration also recommends the establishment of a global alliance to accelerate health promotion activities, implement the declaration's results to the fullest extent possible and report them at the fifth conference.

Sujudi said Indonesia's health promotion programs met with the requirements of the Jakarta Declaration since the private sector and non-governmental organizations were involved.

Indonesia's integrated health promotion programs reflect the "healthy public policy" as the government and private sector are part of national development.

Antara reported Wednesday that the WHO has approved a US$11 million grant to Indonesia for the government's health projects for two years until 1999.

The news agency said the grant was aimed at improving mother and child health care and lowering the mortality rate of mothers giving birth and infant mortality rates.

WHO representative to Indonesia, Robert J. Kim-Farley said the grant would be channeled through the Ministry of Health and the office of the State Minister of Women's Affairs, according to the news agency.

Kim-Farley said the funds would cover some projects on clean water. (01)