"I have asked several major hospitals to become national administrators for specific diseases, including diabetes," he informed during a press conference at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta on Friday.
According to him, based on medical studies, diabetes can lead to complications such as kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases like heart disease, stroke, and blood vessel problems.
He stated that, according to data from his ministry, the number of diabetes cases in Indonesia is currently estimated at around 20 million. However, only 5 million cases have been identified, with an annual death toll of over 200,000 people.
"From my experience, the data in Indonesia may even be higher than that," he added.
As a result, the ministry has sought assistance from several hospitals, including RSCM, to provide diabetes treatment to all segments of society.
"We need to ensure a service chain that starts from the lowest level, such as community health centers (puskesmas), to the most advanced healthcare facilities like RSCM. Our goal is to reduce the number of deaths caused by diabetes," the minister stated.
Since 2022, RSCM has also collaborated with the Joslin Diabetes Center based in Boston, United States. This collaboration was marked by the opening of the first Advanced Diabetes Center (ADC) in Indonesia at the Central Medical Unit (CMU) 3 or RSCM Kanigara.
To enhance diabetes treatment in Indonesia, a program is being implemented to improve service quality through Clinical Adviser and Care Program. In the initial stages of the cooperation, assessment, observation, and analysis will be conducted.
"This will provide recommendations to establish a Center of Excellence for Diabetes, which offers centralized and integrated services, along with collaboration in developing guidelines and care standards for diabetes patients in Indonesia," he added.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta S
Editor: Anton Santoso
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