Childhood Diabetes in Indonesia Reaches Critical Levels, School Curriculum Becomes the Last Line of Defence
The surge in childhood diabetes cases in Indonesia has now reached an alarming level. According to the latest data from the Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI) in 2026, the prevalence of child diabetes cases has increased drastically compared to a decade ago. Findings on the ground even show that children aged 6 to 10 years are already undergoing dialysis procedures due to complications of type-2 diabetes.
Chairman of the DPR RI’s Community Aspiration Body (BAM), Ahmad Heryawan, stated that this condition is a “serious alarm” for the sustainability of the nation’s generation. According to him, government intervention should no longer be limited to curative measures in hospitals, but must be preventive through formal education channels.
IDAI recorded that child diabetes cases have increased 70-fold since 2010. Most of the sufferers are in the 10-14 age group, with an increasing risk of early-stage kidney failure complications.
The government, through relevant ministries, is currently preparing to integrate health education into the school curriculum as part of the 2026 National Curriculum. This aims to ensure that students have a strong understanding of the sugar content in packaged foods and beverages (MBDK - Packaged Sweetened Beverages).
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the government is targeting health screenings for 50 million schoolchildren throughout Indonesia. As of early 2026, approximately 20 million children have undergone basic examinations as part of the national early detection effort.
The implementation of this health education will also be synergized with the national priority program, Free Nutritious Meals (MBG). With the inclusion of health material in the curriculum, schools are expected to not only provide healthy food but also provide students with an understanding of why a low-sugar diet is so important for their future.
Although schools are at the forefront of education, experts emphasize the importance of parental involvement in monitoring early symptoms such as frequent thirst, frequent urination, and drastic weight loss in children. Collaboration between schools, the government, and families is the key to breaking the chain of increasing childhood diabetes in Indonesia. (H-3)
If left untreated, this condition can disrupt various bodily functions, such as blood circulation, kidneys, nerves, and affect the growth and development of children.
The main cause of type 1 diabetes is autoimmune disorders, where the body’s immune system attacks and damages the child’s pancreas, causing the pancreas to not function properly.
DIABETES is a chronic disease that does not only occur in adults. Children can also get diabetes. Of the three types of diabetes, there are two types of diabetes in children.
Children over the age of two can consume traditional snacks and light meals such as green bean porridge. However, the food should not contain high levels of sugar.
The Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI) together with professional and academic organizations highlighted the mutations and termination of four paediatric specialists, which they deemed to be unfounded.