"Jakarta has had this program since 2013 through Jakarta Governor Regulation number 140 about healthy canteens, and until now the practice is still being improved," Deputy Head of Jakarta Provincial Health Office Dwi Oktavia said here on Sunday.
As such, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has designated 450 schools as having healthy canteens, and it is in line with the gubernatorial quick win programs, she pointed out.
Oktavia stated that those school canteens are being assisted so the food and drinks sold are nutritious and safe to be eaten by the students.
"We assist (in regards to) the facilities, food safety, and giving labels to food, particularly on the salt, sugar, and fat contents," she noted.
Her administration is also pursuing collaboration with stakeholders and policymakers to educate people about maintaining health, so Jakarta people do not contract non-communicable diseases.
Moreover, she also encouraged everyone, from newborns, students, adults, to elderly people, to make use of the Free Health Checkups (CKG), as it can help them monitor their condition, so they can take steps to improve their own health.
Oktavia mentioned that together with mass organizations and communities, they promote healthier lifestyles.
"We also aim to improve policies so they can answer current challenges, and make use of digital media in sending messages or campaigns about health," she remarked.
On the same occasion, CEO of the Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) Diah S Saminarsih said that Health Ministry's data show that 75 percent of deaths in Indonesia are caused by heart diseases and stroke.
Moreover, the 2023 National Health Survey (SKI) shows that Indonesians have unhealthy diets comprising fast food, processed food, sweetened drinks, and consuming a high amount of sugar, salt, and fats, Saminarsih added.
The habit of smoking and lack of physical activity exacerbates the risk of non-communicable diseases, she noted.
She mentioned that every day, people are bombarded by many unhealthy foods and drinks, and access to tobacco products is also easy.
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Translator: Mario Sofia Nasution, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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