Health day gives new momentum to national antismoking drive<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia celebrated National Health Day on Friday quietly, with
\nMinister of Health Achmad Sujudi renewing the antismoking drive.<\/p>\n
In his statement to mark the day, Sujudi said that the
\nantismoking drive was timely as most Indonesians were fasting
\nfrom sunrise to sunset during Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Muslims account for around 90 percent of Indonesia's
\npopulation of 214 million.<\/p>\n
\"It's improper for people to break their fast by smoking
\nbecause it is damaging their own health and that of their
\nfamilies and relatives,\" said Sujudi.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia should emulate Malaysia, which in line with
\nthis year's fasting month has launched the \"Quit Smoking in
\nRamadhan\" program.<\/p>\n
Smoking is known to cause 25 diseases, not only to smokers but
\nto passive smokers also.<\/p>\n
The latest World Health Organization (WHO) report revealed
\nthat the number of active smokers in the world stands at 1.1
\nbillion. The population of smokers in Indonesia reached 141
\nmillion in 2002, according to a household health survey.<\/p>\n
WHO said four million people die every year from smoking-
\nrelated diseases, such as lung cancer and heart disease, while
\nthe Ministry of Health estimates 6.5 million people suffer from
\nsuch diseases.<\/p>\n
The antismoking campaign has sparked controversy in Indonesia
\nas the cigarette industry has been one of the main sources of
\nrevenue. The government has targeted Rp 25.1 trillion (US$2.95
\nbillion) from cigarette excise in the current fiscal year.<\/p>\n
Sujudi also called on citizens to be responsible for their own
\nhealth and urged hospitals and those who work in health and
\nmedical services to improve their professionalism and provide
\ngood healthcare.<\/p>\n
\"Have more empathy toward patients, understand their needs,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Healthcare service improvement will be among the main focuses
\nof the new National Health System (SKN), which will be launched
\non Nov. 12.<\/p>\n
The WHO survey in 2003 reported that Indonesia's Human
\nDevelopment Index (HDI) dropped from 110th in 2000, to 112 in
\n2003 due to the decline in the quality of health in the country.
\nBoth years the United Nations body surveyed 175 countries.<\/p>\n
Among the indicators of Indonesia's poor health condition were
\nthe high rate of infant mortality (50 out of every 1,000 births),
\nhigh maternal mortality rate (373 out of 100,000 births), and low
\nlife expectancy (66,2 years).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/health-day-gives-new-momentum-to-national-antismoking-drive-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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