VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Health Ministry has allocated a budget of Rp30 trillion for the procurement of non-surgical intervention tools for patients with catastrophic diseases in all cities/districts of Indonesia.

"We are in the process of meeting the needs of the tools. I have allocated around Rp30 trillion until 2027 (for the procurement of equipment used in the treatment) of cancer, stroke, heart, and kidney (diseases),” Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said here on Tuesday.

He explained that the allocation of funds is sufficient for the purchase of non-surgical intervention tools for all provincial health service facilities and 514 districts/cities in Indonesia.

The minister said that currently, the number of healthcare facilities and medical specialists in surgery is not sufficient.

Out of 34 provinces, only 20 provinces are equipped to use the cathlab method, while 14 provinces are still unable to provide services for patients with catastrophic diseases, such as stroke, kidney, and heart disorders, he informed.

He said that stroke was the second leading cause of death in the world in 2015 and the leading cause of death in Indonesia in 2014.

Based on medical diagnoses, in the Indonesian population aged over 15 years, the prevalence of stroke in 2018 was 10.9 percent, or an estimated 2,120,362 people.

The provision of medical devices for the treatment of catastrophic diseases in Indonesia is one of the strategies developed by the government to reduce the prevalence of cases.

Other efforts involve strengthening public health promotive and preventive efforts, such as campaigning for the consumption of balanced nutritious foods, maintaining blood sugar levels, routine physical activity, and routine health checks at least every six months.

"If you haven't checked, do it right away. Starting next year, BPJS Kesehatan will cover early detection. Prevention is easier and cheaper than treating it," Sadikin said. (antaranews)