February 24, 2023

West Java improves quality of families through Sarling Program: BKKBN

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) has said that West Java Province continues to improve the quality of families through the agency’s mobile broadcasting (Sarling) of Bangga Kencana Program.Bangga Kencana is a program developed by BKKBN regarding family development, population, and family planning.

In a statement released on Friday, BKKBN quoted Atalia Praratya Ridwan Kamil, Chair of West Java Family Welfare Development (PKK), as saying that Sarling was carried out as a tool to help improve local people’s health and welfare.

She remarked that Sarling has several routine activities, including reviewing integrated health post (posyandu) services for teenagers, the elderly, and toddlers, and alerting them regarding the month of weighing and immunization.

long with the West Java BKKBN representative, her side held exhibition activities for the Bangga Kencana Program, such as dissemination of information on Child Development Cards; communication, information, and education (KIE) regarding First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK); and Family Planning Services.

They also held demonstrations of cooking healthy menus at the Healthy Kitchen Overcoming Stunting (Dashat).

Basedn on the PKK’s observation, both toddler and elderly posyandu in West Java had been running according to plan, she said.

The community also has the awareness to register and conduct consultations at several health services, she noted.

“I am grateful that all related elements work hard for this,” Kamil stated.

Meanwhile, Head of the Central BKKBN Planning Bureau, Wahidin, stated that the Sarling Bangga Kencana Program had been integrated with the activities of the Village Movement for West Java Families (Grudug Jabar).

He said that apart from forming the Generation Planning Ambassadors (GenRe) as the main pillar of youth education, BKKBN has conducted training for the Family Assistance Team (TPK).

BKKBN also provided guidance to the Toddler Family Development group (BKB) to increase public understanding of stunting and child development, he added.

West Java is one of the provinces in Indonesia with a high number of stunting cases.

cting Head of the West Java BKKBN Dadi Roswandi also remarked that apart from toddlers, teenagers must also be taken care of as well as prospective brides and grooms.

They must keep a check on their health, including changing their lifestyle, if they are looking to plan pregnancy after getting married, he said.

“This March, all prospective brides and grooms must have an Elsimil certificate (ready for marriage and pregnancy electronic application). This is one of our efforts to avoid stunting cases,” Roswandi stated.

baca-jugaRelated news: BKKBN strengthens family data, information system through Rumah DataKuRelated news: Local food helps prevent stunting during dry season crisis: BKKBN

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

Health Minister seeks transparency in drug prices

I want the price of drugs to be cheap,

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has called for transparency in drug pricing to tackle price fluctuations in the market.”I urge the director general to compare drug prices with the ones in Malaysia. People say drug prices in Malaysia are cheaper. (Also check) medicine available in Singapore but not in Indonesia,” he said at the “2023 National Health Work Meeting (Rakerkesnas)” in Jakarta on Friday.

He expressed the hope that price comparisons with drug products in foreign markets would provide an idea to the public regarding drug transactions at healthcare facilities.

“Please check what type of drug with the most different prices between Indonesia and Malaysia. Get the list and we will make it transparent so we can compare it,” Sadikin added.

Besides price comparisons, he also asked his staff to collect information on prices and the need for medicines by carrying out consultations with medical professional organizations.

“For example, ask the association of oncologists and cardiologists in Indonesia (about) which medicines are expensive. Then, go back to the community level and listen to their complaints. Do not talk about it at the elite level,” he emphasized.

He said people have complained about the high prices of drugs, adding that he will also push for drug price transparency between drug importers and hospitals.

He noted that expensive drugs tend to be difficult to obtain, leading to cases of smuggling and circumvention of taxes.

“Yesterday, I found a personal shopper service (jastip) in North Sumatra to buy medicines,” he said.

He revealed that the government’s budget allocation for drug spending is around Rp26 trillion (around US$1.7 billion). Currently, the Ministry of Health is working with the national industry to absorb around Rp20 trillion (around US$1.3 billion) of the budget for the utilization of the domestic component level (TKDN) for drug production.

“We encourage factory investment to enter the country. I want the price of drugs to be cheap,” he added.baca-jugaRelated news: Indonesia has potential to be SEA’s pharmaceutical industry center

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

Humanitarian aid team did commendable job in Turkey: Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian team sent to provide humanitarian aid to Turkish and Syrian earthquake victims performed its mission well, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy, has said.”The team has concluded their mission in Turkey and Syria very well, and currently, (they) have arrived safely in (their) homeland,” he remarked on Friday

The minister made the remarks at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, Jakarta, at an event held to welcome the returning team.

“May their contributions be beneficial and ease the burden on the people who have been impacted by the disaster in Turkey and Syria, so they can get through their suffering and rise into a stronger, greater nation,” he said.

The minister also conveyed the government’s appreciation for everyone who has put efforts to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.

“Thank you, for all stakeholders who have supported this initiative, in particular, the great contribution of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency and team, National Search and Rescue Agency, Defense Ministry, national defense force, national police, Finance Ministry, and all organizations who have made an invaluable contribution,” he elaborated.

Minister Effendy expressed gratitude for everyone who did their best in the humanitarian mission.

“On behalf of the government, I declare that the current mission has concluded on a good note, and there will be next measures as the continuation,” he added.

The search and rescue operation as well as the humanitarian mission in Turkey and Syria was the largest such effort that Indonesia has ever made overseas. To date, Indonesia has dispatched four planes to the two countries to deliver logistics assistance.

baca-jugaRelated news: Indonesian EMT mission in Turkey extended till Feb 28

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

Crucial to share quake research to prevent large-scale damage: BMKG

part from conducting it (disaster mitigation dissemination) inclusively, it also needs to be carried out sustainably,

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has highlighted the importance of disseminating the results of research on earthquake mitigation among construction stakeholders, considering the large-scale damage to buildings in Turkey in the latest disaster.”do not let the results of studies conducted by universities, related institutions, and the BMKG untold to the parties (construction companies) who apply the building code,” head of the BMKG, Dwikorita Karnawati, stressed at a press conference at the BMKG headquarters here on Thursday.

number of experts from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have carried out several studies regarding the impact of the 7.7-magnitude quake in Turkey on February 6, 2023, she added.

The studies have temporarily concluded that there was inadequate collaboration among researchers and construction stakeholders in applying the results of the studies to strengthen the building code, she pointed out.

Furthermore, strict implementation of law enforcement regarding the application of building codes and disaster mitigation regulations is also required, the BMKG head said.

Seismic research, monitoring system, analysis, and ground motion studies must also be bolstered to mitigate the impact of earthquakes, she added.

In addition, the seismic hazard map should be updated based on the latest research results, since not all earthquake-triggering faults have been documented, Karnawati said.

She noted thata national earthquake and tsunami consortium of experts from various universities and institutions in Indonesia has been established.

The consortium aims to strengthen research on earthquakes and tsunamis, thus the results of the studies can be applied by the BMKG or other related stakeholders, she added.

“Strengthening the literacy, education, and advocacy (on disaster mitigation) inclusively is also important,” she remarked.

The BMKG head emphasized that the information on disaster mitigation should be disseminated to the whole community, including to people with special needs, regardless of their gender.

Hence, the dissemination should be carried out through various informal and formal activities in public places, including mosques, churches, and schools, she emphasized.

“Apart from conducting it (disaster mitigation dissemination) inclusively, it also needs to be carried out sustainably,” she added.

baca-jugaRelated news: President urges SAR Agency to educate community on first aid

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

Ministry, varsities cooperate to build digitally literate society

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Communication and Information Ministry is working with universities to realize a more digitally literate society with the help of the digital literacy program.”There are 12 universities, but there are actually 50 universities that have already cooperated with us to conduct what is called digital literacy,” a ministry officialSemuel Abrijani Pangerapaninformed here on Thursday.

t the “Education Sector Digital Literacy Kickoff,” he highlighted that the national digital literacy index is currently at 3.54 out of 5.

This means that the national digital literacy index is still in the medium category.

Thus, steps to improve the national digital literacy index are necessary to improve the reading. The ministry is aiming to bring the index reading to 4 by the end of President Joko Widodo’s term, he informed.

One of the efforts to realize this is by cooperating with universities to improve people’s digital literacy.

Pangerapan deemed that a university is a place where knowledge is developed.

He said he expects that, through the cooperation, students can set an example and teach people about the digital literacy pillars, such as digital ethics, digital security, digital culture, and digital skills.

“In universities, we will also conduct research on how to apply the correct methodology to the people,” he added.

For instance, they can try to figure out what modules they should use for certain age demographics, he explained.

Moreover, the effort to improve digital literacy cannot be carried out alone by any single entity. It necessitates collaboration with various stakeholders, including universities, to build accurate digital knowledge among the people, Pangerapan said.

“Thus, we need partners. Now, these are our partners to conduct what is called digital literacy in Indonesia to improve quality so that our people can be actors in this transformation process,” he elaborated.

The ministry has entered into collaboration with a number of university rectors to improve digital literacy.

baca-jugaRelated news: Indonesia needs 17 mln technologically literate workers: MinisterRelated news: Raising a digitally literate future generationRelated news: Minister hopes varsities can produce digitally literate graduates

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

National assembly seeks improvement in political, digital literacy

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Lestari Moerdijat, has called for an improvement in political and digital literacy among the Indonesian people to face challenges in the political year.”It is essential for stakeholders to encourage the improvement of political and digital literacy of the community in order to face challenges in the current political year,” she said in a statement received on Friday.

Based on the 2022 Indonesia Digital Literacy Index Survey initiated by the Ministry of Communication and Information, the digital skills, digital ethics, digital security, and digital culture of Indonesians have shown an improving trend.

In 2020, Indonesia’s digital literacy index score stood at 3.46. Meanwhile, in 2021, it reached 3.49. Then, based on the survey, in 2022, the score increased to 3.54, which showed that Indonesians’ digital literacy index was in the moderate category.

Moreover, based on the records of the World Population Review, with 204.7 million Internet users, Indonesia has the fourth largest number of Internet users, after China, India, and the United States.

ccording to Moerdijat, the moderate status of the digital literacy index must be improved as the challenges that the country is facing this year are getting more significant.

“The community’s understanding regarding prioritizing democratic values, nationalism, and unity in a ‘political contest’ must be improved to anticipate those various challenges,” she said.

The MPR Deputy Speaker also pushed for cooperation among all parties for accelerating the improvement of people’s understanding of the digital sector and politics and applying national values in the political year.

She expressed the hope that all relevant stakeholders and the community will be able to carry out the life of the nation and state based on the values of the national ideology, Pancasila.

baca-jugaRelated news: Ministry, varsities cooperate to build digitally literate society

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

Five out of 22 audited stadiums severely damaged: President Jokowi

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that based on the audit of football stadiums conducted by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, five out of the 22 audited stadiums were declared severely damaged.The audit was conducted on 22 stadiums, with a capacity of 20 thousand spectators or more, and pose a high risk for the implementation of League 1, League 2, and the 2023 U-20 World Cup as a response to the stampede tragedy at Kanjuruhan Stadium in October 2022.

“From the results of audit and evaluation stated by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, there are five stadiums that are severely damaged,” the president noted in a statement aired on the official YouTube channel of the Presidential Secretariat on Friday.

The president remarked that of the five severely-damaged stadiums, four needed to be rehabilitated, and one stadium had to be demolished.

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Jokowi revealed the results of the audit during the monitoring of the location for the construction of the national football training center in the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, along with leaders of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

The president also noted that based on the ministry’s audit, 13 stadiums are declared to have been moderately damaged and had to be renovated, while the other four stadiums are categorized as lightly damaged and only needed minor renovation.

The president stated that the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang District, East Java, where the stampede tragedy occurred in which at least 135 people were killed on October 1, 2022, would be totally rehabilitated.

“Especially for Kanjuruhan Stadium, it is still in the redesigning process for total rehabilitation,” he remarked.

baca-jugaRelated news: Disabled access improved at GBT for FIFA U-20 World Cup

Source: Antara News Agency

February 24, 2023

VP presses to conduct grassroots-level coordination to tackle stunting

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Vice President Ma’ruf Amin called for coordination to accelerate stunting reduction to be conducted down to the grassroots level in a bid to optimize target fulfillment.min made the statement during his visit to the integrated health post (posyandu) in Binanga Village, Mamuju District, West Sulawesion Friday.

“Coordination regarding stunting reduction to the lower level must be conducted. The community health center (puskesmas) must also disseminate information on this matter to the community,” he noted in a press release received here, Friday.

min underscored the need to make strategic efforts to accelerate the reduction of stunting that is targeted at 14 percent by 2024, especially in areas with high stunting rates, such as Mamuju, West Sulawesi.

“We must push for acceleration to reduce stunting. I have received a report regarding the mapping. Now, the strategic steps are being prepared,” he stated.

Through strategic efforts, the vice president believes that the national target to reduce stunting can be achieved.

“(Looking at) several reports from districts head and their ranks, I see optimism to achieve this target. The government is really pursuing efforts to reduce the stunting rate to 14 percent in 2024,” he noted.

baca-jugaRelated news: VP seeks villagers’ involvement in stunting reduction

During his visit, the vice president and his wife Wury Ma’ruf Amin also handed out vitamin A supplements to two toddlers at the posyandu.

This activity also commemorated February and August as months for weighing, measuring, and administering vitamin A simultaneously throughout Indonesia.

In addition, Vice President Amin also provided food assistance to mothers and children at the posyandu, with the hopes of helping them to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers, especially the need for animal protein.

series of stunting review activities were conducted in Mamuju, as the region is an area with a relatively high stunting rate, he explained.

“(It is) because in West Sulawesi, the stunting rate is still high, at around 35 percent or above the national level of 21.6 percent. We want to reduce it to 14 percent in 2024,” he emphasized.

On Thursday, the vice president also conducted a series of activities in Mamuju, including reviewing post-earthquake school reconstruction work and chairing the Coordination Meeting for the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction in West Sulawesi Province.

baca-jugaRelated news: Stunting, poverty reduction govt’s focus in short term: minister

Source: Antara News Agency