Family planning prevents 100m births: BKKBN

The family planning program aggressively sponsored by the government between 1970 and 2010 managed to prevent about 100 million births, National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) head Fasli Jalal said on Tuesday.

"It is an amazing achievement. Imagine what it would be like if the 100 million babies had been born ... the government would surely be burdened with problems of meeting the basic rights of every citizen," Fasli said at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Family Day in Bantul as quoted by Antara news agency.

Fasli further said that the achievement was based on a study in 2010 that estimated that today'€™s population would be 340 million, instead of the actual 237.6 million.

"The prediction that the Indonesian population would reach 340 million in 2010 was made by the late noted economist Prof. Widjojonitisastro in 1970," he said.

In order to further champion the program, the government has taken various new initiatives. "All of them are carried out through the mapping and assessment of policies, conducting integrated strategies and programs as well as focusing on expanding access to contraception up to villages," Fasli said.

He disclosed that at least 23,500 government and privately run family planning clinics were available to serve all families requiring family planning services, especially the poor.

'€œNext year, the BKKBN will provide family planning services through the National Social Security System through 60,000 clinics so as to prevent any social exclusivity. All eligible customers will be able to get qualified services," he added. (apt)