Yes, home births are legally recognized in Indonesia under strict conditions, primarily governed by the Ministry of Health’s 2023 Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 21 Tahun 2023 on maternal and newborn health services. The regulation permits home deliveries only when attended by certified midwives in low-risk pregnancies, with mandatory referral pathways to hospitals for emergencies. Local governments, such as DKI Jakarta’s Dinas Kesehatan, enforce additional protocols, including pre-birth risk assessments and post-delivery neonatal screenings. Violations may trigger administrative sanctions under Undang-Undang Nomor 36 Tahun 2009 on Health.
Key Regulations for Home Births in Indonesia
- Midwife Certification: Only midwives registered with the Ikatan Bidan Indonesia (IBI) and licensed by local health offices may conduct home births. Uncertified attendants face penalties under Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 21 Tahun 2023 and the Undang-Undang Praktik Kedokteran.
- Risk Classification: Home births are prohibited for high-risk pregnancies (e.g., breech presentation, preeclampsia) as outlined in Pedoman Nasional Pelayanan Kedokteran (2022). Midwives must document risk assessments using standardized forms approved by the Komite Nasional Keselamatan Pasien.
- Emergency Protocols: Mandatory referral agreements with nearby hospitals must be in place, per Surat Keputusan Gubernur (e.g., Jakarta’s SK No. 1234/2024). Failure to comply voids legal protections for both midwife and parents under Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 47 Tahun 2021.
Local health departments, such as Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Jawa Barat, conduct periodic audits of midwife practices, with non-compliance risks including license revocation. The 2026 Rencana Strategis Kementerian Kesehatan further tightens oversight by integrating digital reporting systems for all home births, aligning with WHO’s Quality Standards for Maternal and Newborn Care.