Maternal Healthcare: The Impact of COVID-19 and Systemic Inequities

Maternal healthcare (Source: pexels.com)

Maternal healthcare is a fundamental right, but in Indonesia, it remains out of reach for many women, especially those in rural and economically disadvantaged communities. With one of the highest maternal mortality ratios (MMR) in Southeast Asia, Indonesia faces a critical need to address healthcare disparities, discriminatory practices, and rising maternal mortality.

Healthcare access in rural Indonesia paints a bleak picture. Women in remote areas often face significant challenges, from poorly equipped facilities to a lack of trained medical staff. Even though the government has sent midwives to remote areas, there is still a shortage of doctors and emergency care. In cities, where hospitals are better equipped, low-income women often can't afford the care they need. This uneven access to healthcare across the country puts many women at risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed systemic weaknesses in Indonesia’s maternal healthcare system. During the 2021 surge, pregnant women and children faced delays or were outright denied access to essential medical care, resulting in preventable deaths. These incidents highlighted grave violations of the rights to life, health, and equality as enshrined in Articles 4, 9(1), 41(2), and 49(2) of Indonesia’s Law Number 39 of 1999. They also underscored the urgent need for strengthened healthcare delivery systems to ensure equitable access, particularly for marginalized populations in underserved regions.

Discrimination further complicates maternal healthcare in Indonesia. Economically disadvantaged women often report receiving poorer-quality care than paying clients, particularly under government-subsidized programs like the Healthy Indonesia Card (Kartu Indonesia Sehat, KIS). This inequity discourages vulnerable women from seeking necessary medical attention, exacerbating the already critical issue of unequal treatment in healthcare services.

In Indonesia, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) remains one of the highest in Southeast Asia, despite a decreasing trend over recent years. To address these issues, Indonesia must commit to comprehensive reforms. Ensuring universal access to quality maternal healthcare, promoting informed decision-making among women, and eliminating gender-based discrimination are critical steps. International frameworks like CEDAW and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer guiding principles for fostering equity in maternal healthcare and reducing mortality.

Every woman deserves safe, equitable, and dignified care. By addressing these systemic challenges, Indonesia can pave the way for healthier mothers, healthier families, and a brighter future.