Bisnis.com, JAKARTA – The maternal and infant mortality rate in Asiki, Boven Digoel, Papua continues to reduce by the provision of quality health services and treatment from the professional medical personnel and supported by modern medical equipment.
Asiki Clinic, which was built and is managed by TSE Group since 2017 through its Corporate Social Contribution (CSC), provides free services for Indigenous Papuans (OAP), especially those who live and work in TSE Group operational area in Asiki.
Manager of Asiki Clinic, Dr. Firman Jayawijaya explained that there have been several programs conducted in order to reduce the number of deaths among pregnant women and newborn infants in Asiki area. These programs include massive socialization to villages regarding health services capable in handling childbirth at Asiki Clinic.
Asiki Clinic also provides maternity gift packages containing primary necessities for both mothers and the children. This gift is expected to be able to ‘stimulate’ the willingness of the expectant mothers, who still feel reluctant to give birth in health facilities.
Dr. Firman explained that according to the widespread belief among the community of Asiki, childbirth must be carried out in a bivouac or tent without the presence of health workers. “They are only accompanied by their family and husband who do not have the knowledge and experience in assisting a childbirth,” he said.
Some of them were able to go through a healthy and proper childbirth. However, many mothers and their newborns experienced infection, heavy bleeding, to hypothermia so a further treatment from the clinic is needed.
Asiki Clinic is slowly trying to change the custom that has been passed down from generation to generation among the indigenous Papuans living around the company area. Since 2017, Asiki Clinic has been providing socialization and education to expectant mothers regarding safe childbirth to organizing maternal exercises.
“Thankfully, they are now more enthusiastic about giving birth at the clinic despite having to travel a long way from the village,” Dr. Firman expressed.
Since the vigorous socialization, the number of maternal and child deaths has slowly decreased. According to Dr. Firman, the death rate for newborns reached four children in 2015. Three babies died in 2016.
The number of newborn deaths has decreased to two children in 2017 and 2018. “The latest data shows that since 2019 up to date (June 2021), there are no newborn deaths at the Asiki Clinic,” Dr. Firman said.
Seeing this effectiveness, Asiki Clinic is committed to do more intensive socialization and education to the local villages. These activities also involve the surrounding health facilities, including three community health centers (puskesmas) located at the border of Asiki Clinic operational area.
Source : bisnis.com
