Acting director general of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases at the ministry, Dr. Elvieda Sariwati, MEpid, said that kidney disorders can cause kidney failure if discovered too late. Late detection also leads to lack of proper treatment, she said.
"Early detection starts at the age of 15. Early detection for the public (can be done through) the Integrated Development Post. This activity aims to detect early risk diseases for chronic kidney disease, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity," she informed at a virtual press conference on Wednesday.
A screening would involve interviews related to risk factors for non-communicable diseases for self and family; measurement of weight, height, and abdominal circumference to determine body mass index (BMI) and the possibility of central obesity; and blood sugar and blood pressure checks, she said.
It also includes identification of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, information dissemination, and follow-up in the form of referrals to First Level Health Facilities in the event risk factors are found, she added.
“So, it can be detected from the start. Early examination for healthy ones is at least once a year," Sariwati said.
The government, through the Health Ministry, is currently conducting a transformation in the health sector, and one of the efforts to achieve this is improving primary health services by focusing on promotive and preventive efforts, she disclosed.
The target population includes those who are healthy and those who are at risk, she said. For those who are healthy, i.e., do not have symptoms of disease, efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle are being conducted so they stay healthy and avoid the risk of diseases, she said.
As for who are already at risk, primary prevention is being conducted through early detection of risk factors and disease so that the disease can be overcome, she informed. People with health conditions are being treated as best as possible to prevent their condition from worsening, she said.
"The diseases that underlie chronic kidney disease are hypertension and diabetes. Health services for hypertension and diabetes patients (include) early detection to (monitor conditions) so that patients are actively taking treatment so that their blood pressure and blood sugar are controlled; thus they (do not experience) complications," she added.
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In addition to health screening, she also advised the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle so that they do not contract non-communicable diseases, including kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, by following a balanced diet to reduce risk, performing physical activities in a safe manner, and avoiding smoking and alcoholic beverages.
Meanwhile, director of health promotion and community empowerment at the Health Ministry, Dr. Imran Agus Nurali, Sp.KO., revealed that currently, Indonesia is facing health challenges related to non-communicable diseases.
The incidence of such diseases has been increasing since 2010 due to diet, parenting, movement patterns, and eating patterns such as consumption of foods with high calories, low fiber, high salt, high sugar, and high fat, he said.
Nurali listed sedentary lifestyle, consumption of junk or fast food, lack of physical activity, stress, and lack of rest as triggers for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and hypercholesterolemia.
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Translator: Lia W S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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