West Java Ready to Accelerate Target of Increasing Indonesia's Life Expectancy

Bandung (ANTARA) - The West Java Provincial Government is ready to accelerate the target of increasing the life expectancy of Indonesians from 74 years to 76 years within the next five years, through the integration of the KITA SEHAT Programme (Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Health Transformation) and the Dokter Desa (Village Doctor) innovation. The health service transformation initiative through the KITA SEHAT Programme is focused on strengthening preventive efforts, handling stunting, and fulfilling toddler nutrition in 27 districts/cities across West Java. “We are committed to improving the quality of public health services with the support of the KITA SEHAT Programme. This strengthening of primary health services is not just about improving service quality, but is a manifestation of health governance reform to be more effective, equitable, and sustainable,” said West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan in a statement in Bandung on Tuesday. Erwan emphasised that West Java’s seriousness in reducing medical access disparities has been demonstrated through the deployment of medical personnel to remote areas via the Dokter Desa Programme, allowing chronic disease interventions and early detection to reach isolated residents more quickly. He is optimistic that the successful execution of health reform in Indonesia’s most populous province will be a major determinant in achieving national health status targets. “The success of health transformation in West Java will have a very significant impact, not only for West Java residents but also for the achievement of national health development targets,” Erwan added. Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained that the main benchmark for the success of national health development lies in the surge in life expectancy, which can only be achieved if the community’s paradigm shifts from treating illness to preventing disease. “The government’s main focus is to keep people healthy, then treat those who are sick. Therefore, strengthening primary health services is a priority,” said Budi. Budi reminded citizens to utilise annual health check-up facilities regularly to control risk factors for chronic diseases before they worsen and require intensive hospital care.