The implementation of reference system becomes an essential element in the realization of Pregnancy Safer and Safe Motherhood program which can press the maternal mortality rate down to 80 percent.
The statement was said by dr. Eugeinus Phyowai Ganap, Sp.OG(K). during an open examination for his doctoral programme at Faculty of Medicine UGM on Tuesday (24/10). In the occasion, Phyo defended his dissertation entitled The Utilization of Social Obstetric Reference Quality Measurement Tool for Making Recommendation at Perinatal Maternal Audit Forum.
Phyo said the evaluation of maternal reference quality is one of the ways to decrease the rate of maternal mortality. There are many factors that play the role in determining the quality of a reference, including the helpers, communication, reference transportation facility and the distance of reference facility.
“The evaluation of reference quality will show which factors that have yet to be optimum,” said Phyo.
The current implementation of health reference system, according to Phyo, has yet to be optimum at all levels of health facilities. It can be seen from the high number of children and maternal mortalities as well as other cases that actually require reference but have yet to be adequately served.
Phyo said in Yogyakarta, the maternal mortality rate has been declining, however, there is a significant fluctuation. Data from Health Agency Yogyakarta in 2013 noted there was an absolute fluctuation in maternal mortality number from 36 thousand cases in 2009 to 56 thousand cases in 2011 and it increased up to 41 thousand cases in 2012.
“Perinatal maternal audit has been done since 2003, however it has yet to succeed in decreasing the number of maternal mortality significantly in Yogyakarta,” he added.
Looking at those conditions, Phyo tries to develop a measurement tool that is able to be used to evaluate the social obstetric reference quality. There are several components which become the input for the evaluation including age, location, cause, human resources, procedure, communication, transportation, funding, and GPS.
During his research in Dr. Sardjito General Hospital which involved as many as 120 reference subjects, it is shown that the measurement tool can evaluate the quality of maternal and perinatal references in the hospital. In addition, this tool can become a consideration tool in making a recommendation at perinatal and maternal audit forum.