JICA Partners with Indonesian Line Ministries to Strengthen Maternal and Child Health Services in collaboration with 8 Countries
2023.09.12
Padang, 11th September 2023 – Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Indonesia Office collaborated with Ministry of Health, Ministry of State Secretariat, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs inaugurated the commencement of the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) for delegations from eight countries, namely Cambodia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam. This program is centered around the theme of “Empowering Families in Continuum of Care for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health through Collaboration across Sectors using Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook”. The event is set to take place from the 11th to the 14th of September 2023 in Padang, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia.
The success of MCH Handbook development in Indonesia made the nation’s selection as the esteemed host for the fourteenth consecutive year of the KSP initiative. This journey started with technical cooperation between the Government of Indonesia and Japan, which commenced in the early of 1992 in Salatiga City, Central Java Province. The collaboration culminated in the official nationwide introduction of the MCH Handbook, as formalized by the Decree of the Minister of Health No. 284/Menkes/SK/III/2004. Presently, this joint effort is embodied in the technical collaboration between JICA and Ministry of Health through “The Project for Enhancing the Quality of Maternal and Child Health Program and the Implementation of Maternal and Child Health Handbook in the Era of Decentralization”.
In this program, 16 participants, representing eight countries, as well as 10 participants from Indonesia, will exchange insights and experiences concerning the instrumental role of MCH Handbook as a home-based instrument. This tool not only ensures the seamless continuity of care for both mothers and children but also fosters collaboration across sectors, encompassing health providers, caregivers, and families, all while emphasizing family empowerment.
Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Governor of West Sumatra; and Takehiro Yasui, Chief Representative of JICA Indonesia Office, attended the opening ceremony. In his speech, Takehiro Yasui highlighted the common aspiration to fortify the continuum of care for mothers and children while ensuring the quality in maternal and child health services. He noted, "We have the same concern on how to ensure coordination and family empowerment through the effective utilization of MCH Handbook. This program presents an indispensable chance for participating countries to share valuable perspectives and collaboratively investigate methods to improve maternal and child health services at the foundational level of primary healthcare. This exploration encompasses both promotive and preventive measures.”
With this partnership, JICA aspires to enhance the quality of maternal and child services, spanning both within Indonesia and on a global scale.
For further question please contact:
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Sentral Senayan II Buidling 14th floor, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8
Hanum Hapsari, program officer – Hanum-Hapsari@jica.go.jp
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