"We have been conducting the study because early treatment is less costly and improves recovery rates," said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during the World Diabetes Day commemoration at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta on Sunday.
He said that the role of puskesmas, as a first-level healthcare facility, should be strengthened in treating diabetes, considering late treatment of the disease may result in complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Sadikin called on major hospitals in Indonesia, including RSCM, to help enhance the capacity of puskesmas by assisting in the preparation of facilities and staff training for diabetes care.
"RSCM should ensure its diabetes treatment services extend beyond the hospital to puskesmas," he said.
Sadikin announced that a national diabetes early treatment program will kick off next year, with several puskesmas selected for its pilot phase.
When the program proves to be successful, the ministry will grant authority for the distribution of insulin to puskesmas.
Sadikin emphasized that not all puskesmas are ready for insulin administration, as it requires special storage facilities and additional training.
"I ask specialists in hospitals to train general practitioners in puskesmas to correctly detect and treat diabetes," he added.
He expressed hope that reinforcing the role of puskesmas in diabetes treatment would enable people with diabetes to receive timely care. This would improve quality of life and reduce the risk of complications from delayed treatment.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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