Reproductive Healthcare Access for Orang Rimba (Indigenous People) in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Jambi Province, Indonesia

Executive Summary: 

Background: Orang Rimba is a group of Indigenous people in Jambi, Indonesia with a population of approximately 3,205. This group had been traditionally regarded as ignorant, marginalized and primitive. Due to this high stigma and lack of political will, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) provision from the government and outside world is hardly visible and the Orang Rimba are largely left to fend for themselves. This study aimed to provide significant information about the health status of the Orang Rimba and pre-existing issues and possible solutions in addressing the SRHR gap.

Methods: Field observation, ethnography and selected secondary data were employed to determine the health status of members of the Orang Rimba group.

Results: The determined challenges and issue include cultural factors like the belief that outsiders from the indigenous group may bring illness to the community. This may hinder integrat ion of planners and organizers and researchers to the community. Other issues are early marriages, malnutrition due to deforestation and increasing maternal mortality among this indigenous group.

The presenter emphasized various significant interventions to promote quality SRH services to the Orang Rimba. First, information and education drive should be promoted. Secondly, there is a need for official recognition of the group to mainstream their needs to national and local health policies. Orang Rimba cadre or peer education is one effective strategy in increasing the awareness and knowledge among the younger men and women on SRH to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Lastly, the establishment of SRH-friendly services and regular mobile clinics are needed to distribute medications and bring access to prenatal care and education.

Conclusion: Reproductive health status among indigenous groups can be improved through intensive intervention and active involvement of the community especially the local leaders. To address the cultural and social constraints in reaching the community, SRH- friendly services and facilities should be promoted and implemented with special regards to their beliefs and indigenous knowledge.[]

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Novi Dayanti, “Reproductive Healthcare Access for Orang Rimba (Indigenous People) in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Jambi Province, Indonesia”, Paper presented at 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, Philippine, January 21-24, 2014.