Unicef gives thumbs up to RI children program
JAKARTA (JP): The president of the executive board of the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef), Anne Semamba Makinda, concluded a week-long visit yesterday, saying she is impressed with Indonesia's campaign against infant mortality.
Makinda, who is also Tanzania's Minister of Community Development, Women's Affairs and Children, however expressed concern over the severe problem of maternal deaths, especially in Indonesia's eastern provinces.
"Along with problems like malnutrition and iodine-deficiency, the severe maternal mortality is one of the things that has to be handled seriously," she said.
Death rate
The nation-wide maternal death rate is 450 per 100,000 births, placing Indonesia just above India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria but well below Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, the Philippines and China.
However, in the least developed and poverty stricken regions such as East Nusa Tenggara province, which Makinda visited, the figure reaches almost twice as high.
In its last annual report, Unicef put Indonesia among the 17 developing countries which succeeded in fighting a massive campaign to reduce the vitamin A deficiency among children. This deficiency raises the chances of child mortality by as much as 25 percent and is a major cause of blindness.
The report also notes that Indonesia has not yet dealt with widespread iodine deficiencies, which is the world's leading cause of mental retardation. It noted that Indonesia has plans to iodinize salt that have not yet been put into action.
During her stay here, Minister Makinda met with Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare Azwar Anas, Minister of Health Sujudi, State Minister of Women's Affairs Mien Sugandhi and Deputy Chairman of the National Development Planning Board Rahadi Ramelan.
"I discussed with them the issues which I would bring to my colleagues in the executive board of Unicef," she said, declining to give further details.
"Basically, the priorities of Unicef's activities here would of course be the same, but the officials should know about the severe problems like high maternal death rates," added Anthony Kennedy, the Unicef chief representative for Indonesia.
The UN agency is preparing to renew its cooperation program with Indonesia for the 1995-2000 period. The Country Program of cooperation will be submitted for approval to the Unicef's executive board next April.
Makinda, according to the Unicef office, has a wealth of experience in development management both at the national and international level. She has held senior positions in the Tanzanian cabinet and has headed her country's delegation to many international forums. (swe)