UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund | FNUAP – Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population

Purpose

Indonesia faces a critical challenge in safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. Despite having over 344,000 registered midwives in 2023, a 16% increase from the previous year, the nation grapples with an extremely high maternal mortality rate. The 2020 census revealed a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 189 per 100,000 live births. This places Indonesia among the top three countries with the highest MMR in Southeast Asia, a stark contrast to regional peers like Singapore with an MMR of just 7. Midwives are often the cornerstone of maternal healthcare in Indonesia, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to doctors and hospitals is limited. By enhancing their capacity and professionalism, this project aims to empower these frontline healthcare providers and contribute to a significant reduction in maternal mortality. Strengthening regulatory frameworks will ensure greater accountability and standardization across midwifery training institutions. This involves supporting evidence-based development of national regulations to improve accreditation processes and elevate the quality of midwifery education. By establishing clear national standards, the project aims to address inconsistencies in midwifery graduates' skills, as highlighted by fluctuating pass rates in national competency tests since 2015. Enhancing pre-service education will equip midwives with the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services. This includes updating and strengthening curricula to reflect international best practices, particularly in crucial areas like emergency obstetric and newborn care. The project will also prioritize equipping midwives with the skills to respond effectively in humanitarian crises, a critical need in disaster-prone Indonesia.