Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government through the Health Office held a Socialization of Tobacco Prevention and Control through the Healthy Living Community Movement (GERMAS) at the Gajahmada Graha Hotel, Thursday (27/5/2021). The event, which lasted for one day, was also attended by related regional apparatus elements, health centers and community representatives from five sub-districts.
Head of the Health Service (Dinkes) of Malang City, dr. Husnul Muarif, stated that based on statistical data, diseases related to Acute Respiratory Infections (ISPA) still rank first in cases of disease in Malang City. However, the next rank is recorded as being occupied by cases of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, blood vessel and heart disorders.
"This phenomenon indicates that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are starting to catch up with infectious diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to build awareness and cooperation between various stakeholders in understanding and handling conditions related to these diseases," said Dr. Husnul Muarif.
Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, H. Ali Ahmad, SH who was present to open the event hoped that the community could take advantage of moments like this to strengthen efforts to educate healthy living in their respective environments. So that it can be a disease prevention and support the government which is currently focused on handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
"If the health aspect (pandemic) cannot be controlled, then the economy could be destroyed. I hope that the public will comply (with government policies), do not assume that Covid-19 does not exist, because many kiai, regents, and ministers have been affected," he said.
Meanwhile, the Sub Coordinator of Chronic Lungs of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) dr. Aries Hamzah, MKM who was a resource person, said that the handling of non-communicable diseases (PTM), among others, by strengthening regulations on controlling cigarette consumption in children under 18 years of age, controlling the circulation of foods high in sugar, salt and fat, to tracking PTM cases so that they can be intervened as early as possible before they become diseases that will require large costs and have a high risk of death.
"Healthy feels good when you are sick," said Dr. Aries reminding the participants at the beginning of his presentation.
dr. Aries gave an example based on the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data, the prevalence of hypertension reached 34,10% of around 172 million people aged 18 years and over. The public also needs to note that the average number of smokers aged 10-18 years in Malang City is quite significant, reaching 12,6% or higher than the East Java average of 9,8% and the national average of 9,1%.
"Non-communicable diseases are continuous diseases, the treatment must also be continuous, the cost of treatment can ultimately erode the family's economy," he continued.
dr. Aries also invited Malang City residents not to poison their families with cigarettes. Especially during the pandemic, smokers are more susceptible to Covid-19 infection.
"Meanwhile, for those closest to us who are exposed to cigarette smoke and its residue, such as our spouses or parents, the health risks can be twice as high as those of smokers. The impact on the next generation is no joke, parents who smoke contribute to causing 5,5% of stunting cases in children," he concluded. (ndu/ram)
