Jakarta, IO – The National Population and Family Planning Board (Badan Kependudukan dan Keluarga Berencana – “BKKBN”) notes that the unmet needs of population control services spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, the unmet need rate is 12.1%. In 2020, it increased to 13.4%, and in 2021 increased again to 18%, even though the target is to reduce unmet needs in 2021 to just 8.8%.
BKKBN Chairman dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp.OG.(K) declared during the “Family Planning 2030 Launching and Commitment Statement” held in Jakarta, Monday (01/08/2022), that unmet contraceptive needs and supplies remain the biggest challenge in achieving our family planning program targets. Furthermore, only 57% out of the target 62% modern contraceptive use is reported.
“For 2030, we have set targets to ensure that our citizens have quality family planning and reproductive health services available – and that they voluntarily participate in these efforts. We also need to satisfy reproductive health rights, especially in terms of equal and affordable health services throughout the nation. Therefore, there will be no more tragic, totally preventable mother and baby deaths, there will be no more unmet family planning service needs, there will be no more unsafe reproductive medical practices or gender-based violence,” dr. Hasto said.
Comprehensive Contraceptive Services
We need to strengthen the commitment of everyone involved. The Government is fully committed to run the Family Planning 2030 program, in order to ensure the availability of quality family planning and reproductive health services in Indonesia. This commitment includes the guarantee of voluntary, quality, and comprehensive contraceptive services; increased private business contributions in family planning and reproductive health programs (including the provision of modern contraceptive services throughout the country); ensuring funding for family planning and reproductive health services; mitigation of the impact of Covid-19 and other medical crises; integration of family planning programs with community nutrition programs; and integration of family planning programs with socializing efforts concerning HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections.
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We also need to anticipate the burden that the younger generation will suffer in terms of supporting the lives and health of the elderly, as we expect an overflow of elderly citizens by 2030. “Teenagers now, more than ever, determine our future. In 2035, if we let this go unaddressed, our younger generation, with their low educational and economic levels, will suffer along with the elderly. If we do not upgrade our current crop of teenagers, it will be extremely difficult for Indonesia to recover, let alone accelerate its economic growth,” dr. Hasto said. (est)