"If we can control diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension, then we can improve public health," Sadikin remarked at the 2022 Indonesian Society of the Interventional Cardiology Annual Meeting (ISICAM), Jakarta, on Friday.
Several diseases, such as diabetes, are generally asymptomatic and can be prevented early on.
This non-communicable disease can cause health complications if not treated early, so experts emphasize that prevention is the best way rather than treating patients, who are already suffering from health problems.
The minister said that one of the places to implement preventive measures is through health services of an integrated health services post (Posyandu) whose standards must be the same in various regions.
Preventive efforts that can be made include routine immunization, so that people have immunity against various diseases and expanding early detection of disease screening.
In addition, prevention efforts through primary services can be made by improving the health of mothers and children by monitoring the growth and development of children at Posyandu. For pregnant women, there are prenatal care services, including ultrasonography (USG), with a doctor during the first and third trimesters.
Posyandu also plays a role in implementing promotive steps, such as providing education and outreach to the community.
In October 2022, Acting Director of Immunization Management of the Ministry of Health Dr Prima Yosephine said the Ministry of Health would optimize the utilization of posyandu in various regions to enable more easier reach to people in need of health services.
World Diabetes Day, commemorated every November 14, serves as a reminder to people about the importance of exercising actively, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture earlier stated.
"World Diabetes Day reminds people to actively engage in physical activities," Deputy for Coordination of Health Quality Improvement and Population Development at the ministry Agus Suprapto stated here on Monday.
Routine physical activity and exercising at least 15-30 minutes daily, five days a week, can help prevent several diseases, including diabetes, he explained.
"Physical activity and regular exercise are very important for an individual to prevent diabetes," he remarked.
Diabetes can be the cause of other diseases, so the risk factors need to be avoided, he added.
"Diabetes can be a cause of various diseases, so it is necessary to regularly do physical exercise to help reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus," he stated.
In addition, people need to pay attention to their calorie intake based on their daily needs.
"To reduce the risk of diabetes, people need to maintain a diet and ensure mental well-being, so that they are not stressed and to fix a sleep pattern," he remarked.
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Translator: Nanien Y, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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