Project News

Director General of Public Health, Director of Family Health, and a staff of sub directorate of under 5 years children was visiting Shizuoka Prefecture.

The member visited the Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Tsubasa Shizuoka mental and physical handicapped facility, Osato Health and Welfare Centre, and Shizuoka Prefectural Office. The member had a great opportunity to learn about maternal and child health services in the Shizuoka prefecture.

Shizuoka Prefecture is a pioneer on "Little Baby Handbook"; a handbook for the parents of the baby born less than 1500g and those who needs special care. The parents can use it together with mother and child health handbook to support the care of premature babies living in the prefecture. Dr. Kisaburo Sakamoto, Head of the Shizuoka Children's Hospital, and Dr. Junji Nakano, Director, Department of Neonatology, explained the outline of the Little Baby Handbook. The member from Indonesia sympatric the importance of maternal support. The member also observed the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the hospital. They were impressed with the quality of medical care and had many questions on the financial support system of preterm baby care. Although the needs for premature infant medical care in Indonesia is high, there are difficulties in terms of financial support system, and future steps are needed.

At the Osato Health and Welfare Centre, the member visited a 3-year-old health check-up. The fact that children of the same age are examined as a group to receive a comprehensive health check at the local health centre is very helpful in thinking about child care in Indonesia. In Indonesia, efforts have been made to implement child health programs and provide services, and by providing health services for children under the age of 5 every month in the same place called Posyandu. Even though "integrated service provision" is being implemented, there are some issues such as decreasing attendance with age, and the service delivery system needs to be reviewed.

Many thanks to the kindness of the Shizuoka Prefectural Health and Welfare Department and the facilities that received us during this observation.