UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga, in collaboration with UNICEF Indonesia through Geliat Airlangga (Maternal and Child Health Care Movement), has launched a program to accompany pregnant mothers. A total of 1,134 students from 28 universities in East Java were officially dispatched to 8 regencies/cities to support the program. These areas include Surabaya, Jember, Jombang, Kediri, Probolinggo, Pamekasan, Banyuwangi, and Blitar. The deployment of volunteers was held on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024, at Sriwijaya Hall, ASEEC Tower, Campus B Dharmawangsa, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya.
The launching was attended by UNICEF East Java Representative Dr. Armunanto M PH; East Java Health Office Representative Dr. Waritsah Sukarjiyah M Kes; the Regional Development Planning Agency of Surabaya (BAPPEDA) Representative Ema Agustina S E; Geliat Airlangga Representative Prof. Dr. Nyoman Anita Damayanti Drg M S; and Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih MSi.
“To build a robust, intelligent, and healthy generation, we need healthy mothers. This initiative fosters a collaborative learning environment for both students and expectant mothers. Your participation is important in cultivating a resilient generation by 2030,” said the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development.
Reducing maternal mortality rates
The attempt to assist moms derives from the high maternal and newborn mortality rates. According to Dr. Waritsah, the maternal mortality rate reached 443 in 2023, while the infant mortality rate will grow from 3,172 to 3,285 fatalities.
A total of 1,854 pregnant women will be assisted by volunteers. According to Dr. Waritsah, this assistance will monitor the condition of pregnant mothers and ensure the birth of healthy, non-stunted children. She hopes there will be no issues between volunteers and pregnant mothers so that maternal and infant mortality rates can be reduced.
Several factors contribute to maternal mortality including postpartum haemorrhage; preeclampsia (high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine); obesity during pregnancy; complications during the postpartum period; and other problems. Therefore, Geliat Airlangga also provides training or capacity building to the volunteers.
The materials provided include monitoring, evaluation, and education on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, contraception services, and infants; communication and counselling using the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) booklet; as well as the concept and implementation of the maternal assistance program.
Author: Muhammad Naqsya Riwansia
Editor: Feri Fenoria
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