TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's maternity mortality rate has risen, from 228 deaths per 100,000 live birth in 2007 to 359 deaths per 100,000 live birth in 2012. According to Nila Moeloek, Special Envoy to the President of Indonesia for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Ministry of Health cannot work alone to completely address the issue - as maternal mortality is a complex, multifaceted issue that also concerns access to funds, as well as access to medical care.
"The state needs to think in a holistic manner. For example, The Public Works Ministry can't work alone and focus solely on repairing roads in Pantura while neglecting to build roads elsewhere. A citizen of Indonesia is guaranteed their human rights - irregardless of where they are," said Nila during a public exposé of the Special Envoy to the President of Indonesia for the Millennium Development Goals' (KUKPRI-MDGs) office at the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta, on Monday.
Nila realized that public health has a very limited appeal - especially since the result of investments in the public healthcare can only be seen in the long term run. "For example, If I ever wanted to run for presidency I will not advocate for family planning or birth control - I'll be crossed out immediately," she said.
As the deadline for MDGs nears next year, KUKPRI-MDGs are monitoring and reporting on Indonesia's progress on the MDGs. The eight goals outlined in the MDGs - such as reducing the infant mortality rate and eradicating hunger - were agreed in 2000 by world leaders. The overall target, is to reduce global poverty rate by 7.5 percent.
On top of the high maternal mortality rate, another MDG that has not been achieved is increasing international cooperation in the area of development - where it is hoped that richer countries could help other countries in the developing world to reduce income disparity. "However, the programs were not efficiently put in place because of the global economic recession," said Nila.
On the other hand, Indonesia's net enrollment rate in elementary schools have reached the MDG target. According to World Bank data in 2012, 92 percent of Indonesian children are enrolled in elementary school.
Despite this, the Assistant to the Special Envoy to the President of Indonesia for the Millennium Development Goals Diah S. Saminarsih, believes that the government can still further improve its' position. "We should be able to provide 12 years of compulsory education to our citizens too," she said. One way to go, is by improving the quality of education in Indonesia. "I believe that this need to be prioritized by the next administration, because otherwise we'd be left so behind," she said. (*)
