CENTRAL PAPUA LAUNCHES FREE IVF PROGRAMME TO ADDRESS DECLINING BIRTH RATES

JAKARTA, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The Central Papua Provincial Government has launched a free in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme as part of efforts to address declining birth rates among Indigenous Papuans (OAP).

Head of the Central Papua Health Office Agus said the initiative was aimed at helping couples facing fertility issues while ensuring the sustainability of the OAP population.

He said the programme is fully funded by the provincial government under a policy introduced by the Governor and Deputy Governor, despite IVF treatment typically involving high medical cost.

“The IVF programme is running, so Papuan people no longer need to seek treatment outside the region. They only need to come to Central Papua and it is free,” he said, according to ANTARA News Agency, Friday night.

According to health data, birth rates in Central Papua have shown a declining trend, partly due to reproductive tract infections affecting both men and women, which are linked to poor health behaviour patterns.

In addition to the IVF initiative, the provincial government has introduced the KoHarus Sehat Programme (Central Papua Healthy New Hope Special Autonomy Card), which focuses on preventive and promotive healthcare through screening and immunisation, health financing guarantees, and cross-government collaboration.

Central Papua currently has 150 community health centres (puskesmas), of which 127 are registered and about 60 accredited, making the strengthening of primary healthcare services a continuing priority.

-- BERNAMA