HEALTH CARE

Ramadan is a great moment for people to maintain or improve their health by, among others, sustaining normal blood glucose and blood pressure levels. Fasting, refraining from eating and drinking for approximately 12 hours, beginning at dawn and ending at Iftar at Maghrib, means the body does not have any calorie intake during that period. 

In Indonesia, Eid-el-Fitr is the traditional time to perform mudik, or the yearly pilgrimage to one’s hometown or village. Many families prepare their mudik journey weeks ahead – including deciding whether they will use land, water, or air transport. Usually, such long trips necessitate going by trains, buses, or cars. However, partially because of frugality and some because of laxity, many a young parent goes home with their toddlers in tow…using motorcycles. 

Fasting is included in the fifth pillar of Islam. When fasting, a person abstains from eating or drinking for about 13-14 hours. The argument for fasting in the Al-Quran is written in Surah Al-A’raf verse 31: “Eat and drink, but don’t overdo it” and AlBaqarah 183: “You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for people before you, that you may be pious.” 

Statistics Indonesia (Badan Pusat Statistik-BPS) has set several health indicators to measure the quality of health for the Indonesian people, including malnutrition, which can lead to stunted growth in children, as well as increased mortality rates for both mothers and babies. Data from the Indonesian Nutritional Status Study (2021) indicates that the prevalence of stunted growth for children under five living in Indonesia is 24.4%, a figure that is significantly higher than the 20% WHO tolerance limit. 

Marburg disease was reported in Equatorial Guinea on February 13. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed there were 9 deaths and 16 suspected cases reported in Kie Ntem Province. Of the 8 samples examined, 1 sample was positive for the Marburg virus. Extraordinary Events in Equatorial Guinea are expected to start on 7 February 2023. Reported symptoms include fever, fatigue, bloody vomiting, and diarrhea. 

When breaking their fast, many people choose extremely sweet dishes and drinks – iced fruit, martabak manis, cake, or fritters. All this sweet stuff risks spiking blood sugar levels. For diabetics, choosing what to eat during fasting is not easy, because they must watch what they ingest to control their blood sugar and maintain it at a normal range. 

The World Health Assembly (WHA) has declared the fourth week of April as World Immunization Week (WIW). This year, WIW’s theme is “Let’s Protect Ourselves, Our Family, and Our People with Full Immunization Suite”. 

“Zoonosis” refers to diseases that are spread from animals to humans, and vice versa. They include diseases like rabies, which infect humans from the bites of dogs, cats, and monkeys; leptospirosis, which infect humans from rodent urine; or the avian flu, which is caused by type A or H5N1 influenza virus. The latter, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (“HPAI”), infects multiples species, including pigs, horses, and sea mammals. The new 2.3.4.4b strain, which infects through secretions, feces, and close contact with infected fowls, has exploded in the past year. 

Obesity occurs when the body’s energy is imbalanced, increasing the risk of illness. dr. Rachmad Wishnu Hidayat, Sp.KO, Subsp, APK(K), sports medicine specialist and member of the Indonesian Obesity Study Association (Himpunan Studi Obesitas Indonesia – “Hisobi”), declared in the “Recognize, Prevent, and Overcome Obesity for a Healthier and More Productive” webinar held on Tuesday (07/03/2023), physical activity that moves all muscles in the body’s frame can increase energy expenditure. There are two important benefits of medium-high intensity physical activity in overweight and obese individuals: to lower weight, especially in terms of excessive body fat; and to reverse an unhealthy, chaotic metabolic condition, transforming it into a healthy, controlled metabolism. 

Basic Health Research points out how the prevalence of chronic kidney disease has arisen from 2 per million in 2013 to 3.8 in 2018. The highest rates were recorded in North Kalimantan, North Maluku, and North Sulawesi. Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health Dr. Eva Susanti, SKp., MKes., stated that priority efforts to prevent and control chronic kidney disease would be carried out through promotion, prevention, and early detection. These efforts will be focused on a family approach in the life cycle. 

World Obesity Day (WOD), commemorated every year on 4 March, is meant to increase awareness and concern among the global community of the importance of preventing and treating obesity. The global theme for WOD 2023 is “Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity”, while the national theme is “Recognize, Prevent, and Mitigate Obesity for a Healthier, More Productive Life”.