Government, private, and USAID cooperate to improve maternal and infant health services

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Health Ministry continued to develop cooperation with private health facilities in order to improve the quality of maternal and infant health services.

The Ministry’s director of family health Eni Gustina admitted the service still focused on government health facilities users such as in community health center (puskesmas). Her office will cooperate with the private sector in addition to the existing collaboration with Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) to improve the health service.

"Community health service is not only done by the government, but also by the private sector. Therefore, we want to expand our network. We want to establish the service at private hospitals, midwives’ practices, and clinics," Eni said in Jakarta, Wednesday (5/23).

USAID’s Jalin Project party chief Kirsten Weeks said in relation to the dynamics of the private sector and condition, USAID seek to improve the private health facilities’ effectiveness to provide good services for mothers and babies.

"We can do this by ensuring the facilities comply with the standards and protocols set by the Health Ministry and they [mothers and infants] can get government standard services," Kirsten said.

In addition, national health insurance (JKN) scheme can help private health facilities to access financing to improve its quality.

"In terms of ICT, providing online referral system that is monitored by the government can improve public and private hospitals services," Kirsten said. (Translator: Wilda Stiana)