Unicef gives thumbs up to RI children program

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)