Why Indonesia's Maternal Mortality Rate Remains High?

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has reached 189 per 100,000 live births, a stark figure considering the 2029 target is set at 77. Furthermore, more than 36,000 new cases of cervical cancer have been diagnosed, resulting in over 21,000 deaths—a tragedy equivalent to one woman dying every 25 minutes.

The Chairperson of the Indonesian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (POGI), Budi Wiweko, revealed that approximately 80 percent of maternal deaths occur within health facilities, with the majority taking place within 24 hours of delivery. "This suggests that referrals may be delayed," he noted during the SPRIN National Summit 2026 at the National POGI House in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

One of the leading causes of death is severe hemorrhaging, which can become fatal if emergency treatment is not administered within 30 minutes. Community behavior also plays a role in these fatalities, including factors such as early marriage, high parity, and frequent pregnancies.

POGI's Efforts Through SPRIN

In response to this issue, POGI is spearheading "Save Indonesian Women" (SPRIN) as a national movement. The initiative comprises ten core programs, including preconception readiness education, pregnancy planning and monitoring, hemoglobin and iron screening for expectant mothers, DNA HPV testing, and HPV vaccinations.

"The SPRIN movement is focused on mitigating reproductive health issues, such as maternal and infant mortality, stunting, and cervical cancer," stated Budi Wiweko.

In addition to medical intervention, SPRIN serves as a campaign to shift the community's mindset regarding the importance of women's health. It specifically aims to address primary hurdles, such as the stubbornly high maternal mortality rate, inconsistent service quality, regional access disparities, and low levels of health literacy and public trust.

This initiative includes the mobilization of SPRIN cadres, dubbed "SPRINTERs," drawn from academia, Generation Z, social media influencers, and public figures. "We are pushing this forward to ensure the target of raising public awareness is achieved, reinforcing that maternal and reproductive health are issues that affect us all," Budi added.

POGI also envisions the Indonesian Women's House at the National POGI House as a hub for female empowerment and reproductive health innovation. It is designed to be a platform for exchanging ideas, information, and training, as well as fostering initiatives for women's wellness.

In its implementation, SPRIN will seek cross-sector collaboration involving the government, academia, the private sector, and local communities. Additionally, as a token of appreciation, POGI will present the National SPRIN Award to regional leaders who successfully reduce maternal mortality rates within their respective areas.