President Jokowi Ensures Every Community Health Center Has Pregnancy Ultrasound Device

President Jokowi inspects Toroh 1 Community Health Center (Puskesmas), Grobogan regency, Central Java province, Tuesday (01/23). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made an inspection to Toroh 1 Community Health Center (Puskesmas), Grobogan regency, Central Java province, Tuesday (01/23). During the visit to the puskesmas, the Head of State wanted to ensure that every puskesmas has pregnancy ultrasound device for pregnant women.

“Today, I came to Toroh 1 Puskesmas in Grobogan regency, Central Java province, to ensure that the puskesmas has pregnancy ultrasound device for pregnant women,” President Jokowi said in his statement before the media crew after the inspection.

According to the President, the Government has distributed the device to 10,000 puskesmas throughout the country. He also mentioned that the device has a good system and hopefully it can help to prevent stunting in Indonesia.

“We hope that all puskesmas has pregnancy ultrasound device for pregnant women, so the baby’s development can be checked earlier, and all the data will be sent to the data center in Jakarta. This is very important to prevent stunting,” President Jokowi said.

In addition to that, the Government also distributed baby scales to a number of integrated healthcare center (posyandu) throughout Indonesia as the Government’s early step to handle stunting.

“We have provided 300,000 scales, it is given to the posyandu that does not have it yet, so they can check the baby’s weight, height, and so on. I think we should continue to improve such early handling,” President Jokowi mentioned.

One of pregnant women named Ria said that the pregnancy ultrasound device for pregnant women in puskesmas is really helpful. She also commented that the pregnancy checking became easier, closer, and more complete.

“I am happy that now the puskesmas has the pregnancy ultrasound device for pregnant women, so I do not have to go far for checking. It is good, I was informed about the baby’s heartbeat, weight, the [amniotic fluid] water, and the baby’s position,” Ria explained.

Accompanying President Jokowi during the inspection were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister for Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister for Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Acting Governor of Central Java province Nana Sudjana, and Regent of Grobogan regency Sri Sumarni. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AW/LW)