The theme for National Health Day 2025, “Healthy Generation for a Great Future,” reflects the importance of both mental and physical well-being, said the Health Ministry’s Director for Vulnerable People’s Healthcare, Imran Pambudi, on Wednesday.
Pambudi emphasized that during a child’s growth and development, the presence of both father and mother figures is essential to help children understand appropriate gender roles and family dynamics.
He noted that the absence of a father figure can have adverse effects. For instance, he explained, daughters who grow up without positive paternal role models may develop a longing for one — a vulnerability that could be exploited by irresponsible individuals.
If children seek father figures in the wrong environments, he warned, it could lead to risky behaviors such as smoking, which may escalate to the use of more dangerous substances like narcotics.
“A father is very important because he serves as a protector and shows that one must work,” Pambudi said.
Without a strong paternal presence, he continued, a child may feel unprotected or unsupported, which can cause anxiety that, if left unchecked, may develop into depression.
“If the depression goes untreated, it can become severe, potentially leading to schizophrenia or even suicide,” he added.
Pambudi underscored that the absence of a good father figure can weaken a person’s mental health, making them more susceptible to unhealthy behaviors and poor life choices.
He also stressed that both parents must serve as positive examples of a healthy lifestyle.
“A father might be present, but if he isn’t a good role model — if he smokes every day, eats junk food, or stays up all night — his child may think, ‘Ah, so this is what being an adult looks like,’” Pambudi said.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that around 84 million Indonesian children will reach productive age by 2045, marking 100 years of the nation’s independence.
“We have only two decades to ensure they grow into a healthy and strong generation,” Sadikin stated during the 61st National Health Day commemoration.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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