The financing need for expanded maternity protection in Indonesia

International Breastfeeding Journal

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[1] 0000 0000 9561 6895, grid.484459.0, Canadian Centre for Health Economics, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, and Nutrition International, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;0000 0004 1796 1481, grid.11553.33, Center for Economics and Development Studies, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 6–8, 40115, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia;Alive & Thrive, Southeast Asia, 7F, Opera Business Center, 60 Ly Thai To Street, Hanoi, Vietnam;

关键词: Breastfeeding;    Maternity protection;    Maternity leave;    Inadequate breastfeeding;    Economic analysis;    Indonesia;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13006-019-0221-1

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAlmost half of all Indonesian children under 6 months of age were not exclusive breastfed in 2017. Optimizing maternity protection programs may result in increased breastfeeding rates. This study aims to: estimate the potential cost implications of optimizing the current paid maternity protection program, estimate budgets needed to increase coverage of lactation rooms in mid and large firms, and explore challenges in its implementation in Indonesia.MethodsThe potential cost implication of the current and increased maternity leave length (three and 6 months) as well as the potential budget impact to the government were estimated for 2020 to 2030. The cost of setting up lactation rooms in formal sector companies was estimated using the Alive & Thrive standards. Interviews were conducted in five different provinces to 29 respondents in 2016 to identify current and potential challenges in implementing both existing and improved maternity protection policies.ResultsThe costs of expanding paid maternity leave from three to 6 months and incorporating standardized lactation rooms in 80% of medium and large size firms in Indonesia was estimated at US$1.0 billion (US$616.4/mother per year) from 2020 to 2030, covering roughly 1.7 million females. The cost of setting up a basic lactation room in 80% of medium and large companies may reach US$18.1 million over 10 years. The three main barriers to increasing breastfeeding rates were: breastmilk substitutes marketing practices, the lack of lactation rooms in workplaces, and local customs that may hamper breastfeeding according to recommendations.ConclusionsThe cost of expanding paid maternity leave is lower than the potential cost savings of US$ 1.5 billion from decreased child mortality and morbidity, maternal cancer rates and cognitive loss. Sharing the cost of paid maternity leave between government and the private sector may provide a feasible economic solution. The main barriers to increasing breastfeeding need to be overcome to reap the benefits of recommended breastfeeding practices.

【 授权许可】

CC BY