MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – The Provincial Government of North Sumatra reported a significant improvement in public health indicators in 2025, driven by strengthened integrated healthcare programs under the leadership of Governor, Bobby Nasution. The initiative focuses on delivering more equitable and higher-quality healthcare services across the province.
Head of the North Sumatra Health Office, Muhammad Faisal Hasrimy, stated that several macro health indicators under the vision of "Collaboration for a Blessed North Sumatra" have exceeded expectations. Out of seven key performance indicators, five have achieved more than 100 percent of their targets.
"This achievement is the result of hard work, synergy, and a holistic approach between central, provincial, and district governments in building an integrated health system in North Sumatra," Faisal said on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Life Expectancy Shows Steady Improvement
One of the most notable achievements is the increase in life expectancy. In 2025, life expectancy in North Sumatra reached 74.19 years, surpassing the target of 74.01 years, or 100.24 percent achievement.
This marks a continuous upward trend compared to 73.90 years in 2024 and 73.67 years in 2023, reflecting improved quality of life and wider access to healthcare services.
STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE SERVICES:The North Sumatra Provincial Government strengthens healthcare services through expanded National Health Insurance (JKN) coverage and improved accreditation of healthcare facilities. (PHOTO: Doc. North Sumatra Communication and Information Office)
Maternal and Infant Mortality Declines
The province also recorded a significant improvement in maternal and child health outcomes. The maternal mortality rate dropped to 45.38 per 100,000 live births, well below the target of 65.78, achieving 131.01 percent of the goal and also lower than the national average of 85.17.
Meanwhile, the infant mortality rate decreased to 3.20 per 1,000 live births, outperforming the target of 3.28.
"The mandatory name- and address-based reporting system through the Maternal Perinatal Death Notification (MPDN) application from the Ministry of Health has proven effective in enabling faster risk detection," Faisal explained.
JKN Expansion and Healthcare Quality Improvement
North Sumatra's Health Office has also expanded access to the National Health Insurance program (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional/JKN), reaching 100.67 percent of the target and maintaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) status in the province.
Healthcare quality has also improved, with 53.96 percent of accredited healthcare facilities achieving the highest Paripurna accreditation status, exceeding the target of 41.1 percent.
Challenges and Future Priorities Remain
Despite these achievements, challenges remain, particularly the morbidity rate, which stands at 10.43 percent—slightly above the target of 10.03 percent. This is attributed to environmental factors as well as the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
The province is also awaiting the official release of updated stunting prevalence data from the Ministry of Health.
Looking ahead, the North Sumatra Government plans to strengthen preventive and promotive healthcare programs through digitalization of primary healthcare services, expansion of community health posts (Posyandu), and integrated nutrition interventions to reduce stunting.
"The Provincial Government of North Sumatra is committed to ensuring that improvements in UHC status and health indicators are not just numbers, but tangible benefits for all citizens—toward a healthy, prosperous, and blessed society," Faisal concluded. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala