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)