Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) organized a mass circumcision and blood donation drive in collaboration with the military ahead of the 30th National Family Day (Harganas), which is observed every June 29.
"This collaboration shows that in achieving common (national) goals, BKKBN cannot work alone. Support from all parties is important for the success of BKKBN programs,” Chief Inspector of BKKBN Ari Dwikora Tono said here on Wednesday.
Eight-two children took part in the mass circumcision and 102 people donated their blood at the Central Jakarta Regional BKKBN Office on Tuesday (June 27, 2023), he informed.
Donating blood is beneficial not only for recipients, but also for donors, he said. The activity can reduce blood viscosity, the level of iron in the body, as well as the risk of cholesterol and heart disease. Meanwhile, the implementation of mass circumcision was one of the agency’s attempts to improve the sexual and reproductive health of the community, thus strengthening the resilience of Indonesian families.
In addition to being an obligation under Islamic law, circumcision has many medical benefits. According to the website of Mayo Clinic, an American academic medical center, circumcision can lower the risk of urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and cancer.
Head of the Committee of BKKBN's Social Service Programs Zamhir Setiawan said his party expects the activity to improve the health of Indonesian families, especially children. He also expressed the hope that the activity would help parents to circumcise their children, as a preparation for the children to face their coming of age.
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Earlier, BKKBN also carried out a family planning program entitled "Simultaneous Family Planning Services for One Million Acceptors" on June 14 to welcome the 30th Harganas. The event was held simultaneously in all provinces throughout Indonesia and targeted 1,244,348 acceptors.