Indonesia's Health Ministry: Contraception Services Only for 'Married Teenagers'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has released a new health regulation with Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024 which contains provisions on promotive and preventive health services. 

One of the services stipulated in the regulation is the teen reproductive health which will have the government disseminating information and educating teenagers on reproductive health and self-protection. 

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, explained that reproductive health education for teenagers includes information on contraception use. However, he said, contraceptives would only be given to married teenagers to prevent unwanted pregnancies, in case of economic or health issues.

"So, contraception will only be provided to married teenagers to prevent pregnancies until they reach a safe age (to get pregnant),” said Syahril as quoted in an official statement, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

According to Syahril, early marriage increases the risk of maternal and child mortality, as well as stunting. 

In accordance with the regulation, the main target of contraceptive services are fertile couples and at-risk fertile age groups. Thus, contraceptives will not be given to all teenagers.

Syahril said the provisions would be clarified in a derivative regulation to clear up any misunderstandings. 

President Joko Widodo or Jokowi previously regulated contraceptive services for students and teenagers under the new health regulation. School-aged children and teenagers are obliged to receive education on reproductive health including the reproductive system, function, and reproductive processes. 

The education also includes risky sexual behavior and its consequences, as well as the importance of family planning to protect themselves from performing sexual intercourse.

Meanwhile, JPPI National Coordinator, Ubaid Matraji, demanded the government revoke the regulation for fear of damaging the future of Indonesian children. Ubaid rejected the provision of contraceptives for children in schools. According to Ubaid, they need reproductive health education, not contraceptives.

HENDRIK YAPUTRA

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