Soeharto urges world cooperation on health
Soeharto urges world cooperation on health
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday called for
international cooperation in combating the spread of contagious
diseases, including AIDS.
"With the emergence of diseases which were previously unheard
of, such as HIV/AIDS, there is no alternative way other than
mobilizing cordial international partnerships," Soeharto said in
his keynote address to the seventh international congress of the
World Federation of Public Health Associations.
By building partnerships, countries can pool their strengths
and capabilities so that each nation can help itself and can deal
with various diseases, he said.
He warned that a healthy society is a prerequisite to
development. "Without a genuine partnership (in health), the
earth which is shrinking will not be able to maintain the
development in dependable human resources which enables the
continuance of economic development."
More than 600 doctors and health experts from 72 countries are
taking part in the conference in Nusa Dua beach resort in Bali
which will wind up on Dec. 8. Also attending the opening ceremony
was the World Health Organization's Director General Hiroshi
Nakajima, Health Minister Sujudi, State Minister for Family
Planning Haryono Suyono and Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka, the
Antara news agency reported.
Soeharto said Indonesia is prepared to help other developing
countries deal with their health and family planning problems.
"We're always open to sharing our experiences with others."
He underlined that Indonesia has already provided training for
more than 2,100 health and family planning officials from 80
countries.
He pointed out that by learning from Indonesia's experience,
these countries could take a short cut to health development
without having to go through the long process Indonesia did.
Indonesia's success story in its health development was
largely possible because of the participation of the general
public, the President said.
He cited the opening of community health centers in villages,
also referred to as "wall-less" hospitals, makeshift centers
recruiting local people to man the operation. "Members of the
public make good health cadres."
Among Indonesia's achievements in health includes the decline
in the infant mortality rate, from 145 for every 1,000 in the
1970s down to 55 by the 1990s.
In family planning, the average children per family has
declined from 5.6 to less than three during the same period.
The average life expectancy has also risen from 50 to 65
years.
"The figures of national achievements will continue to improve
because our people are becoming more aware of the meaning of
family welfare and health," Soeharto said. (emb)