Expert battles Indonesian health ignorance
Mehru Jaffer, Contributor, Jakarta
Many Indonesians may feel that all the riches of the nation are concentrated on the streets of the capital's opulent central business district. But to Dr. Georg Petersen, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Jakarta, the actual wealth of any society is measured by the physical health of its people.
Petersen was in Cambodia when told that his next posting was to be Indonesia. The Norwegian medical doctor was excited at the prospect of staying in Asia despite his limited knowledge about Indonesia.
In researching the country that was to be his new home, Petersen was impressed by the remarkable progress that has been made here in the last three decades, including the improving socioeconomic conditions that helped slashed the infant mortality rate and political reform.
But by the time Petersen arrived here in 1999, he realized that Indonesia was in the midst of a severe economic crisis. The value of the currency was low, prices were high and legions of unemployed had flooded the streets. Adding to the problem was the fact that parts of the country suffered through long droughts and ferocious forest fires.
Yet after witnessing many political turmoil that rocked the country in the late 90s, Petersen told The Jakarta Post that he remains undaunted by the task facing WHO.
He sees all the ongoing changes instead as a tremendous challenge.
But before long he realized that, behind the glittering facade of the central business district, lay the rest of Indonesia which while not exactly sick, is nonetheless hobbled by disease, according to the doctor.
At the end of the day, Petersen adds that, he is savoring every moment of his stay.
Even his disappointment at not being able to practice his favorite sport, skiing, is tempered by his enthusiasm for working here around the clock to try and improve the health of more than 200 million Indonesians.
How would you describe the health of this nation in one sentence?
Compared to the health of its neighboring countries, Indonesia lags behind.
Why is that so?
The health issues in all countries are the same, but it is the vastness of this country that adds to the magnitude of the problem. The diversity of Indonesia is as baffling as it is bewitching. The economic crisis has slowed development of the health system, although Indonesia is, in many respects, a modern country. It developed very fast, and was even considered a model when it came to eradicating illiteracy, immunizing its population and raising the economic level of its people. But ever since the economic crisis, the primary health care in the country has lagged behind.
What are the priority issues before WHO?
Diseases of the poor exacerbated by malnutrition; tuberculosis and malaria remain major challenges. An estimated 175,000 people die every year from tuberculosis, and approximately 1.5 million cases of malaria are detected annually. Dengue fever still occurs in epidemic proportions between November and May.
What about smoking? Tobacco and Indonesia are synonymous and what is your message to the kretek loving people of this country?
My message to them is to stop smoking. This is a big problem here, as tobacco is also big business. More than 60,000 Indonesians die every year of tobacco-related diseases. We work very closely with the Ministry of Health to reduce tobacco dependency.
The government has to put into action proper legislation to control and tax tobacco much more, and to use the increased revenue for improving its health programs.
The government here can also do what other countries have done, like restricting advertising for tobacco products and its use in public places.
What can individuals do to improve the health of the community they live in?
Each individual can start by practicing a healthy lifestyle. The first thing to do is to see a doctor regularly, to keep fit by eating a proper diet and exercise regularly.
Often, I feel basic education is far more important than health care. If people have knowledge, they are able to naturally take care of themselves.
Being a traditional society, what role does religion play in the state of Indonesia's health?
Religion has a very important role to play. It is part of community life. We work together with religious groups as they have great influence within a community. There are, of course, some controversial issues like abortion and contraceptives, but there is nothing that cannot be sorted out by talking about it, discussing it.
Besides, spirituality is very much a part of good health, and only adds to a sense of well being.
What attitudes help and what hinder your work here?
The smile always helps. That is why I do not want a transfer out of Southeast Asia, even after a decade of living in the region. The friendliness of the people always makes any task easier to perform.
What sometimes may be a hindrance is that people hesitate to part with bad news. In the European context, straightforward talk is appreciated and considered beneficial, even from those who are junior at work. Here it is not so. But I have learned to live with that.
With so much happening in Indonesia, like the change of three governments within two years, how are you able to follow up on your programs?
WHO has been working for the last half-century in very close contact with the Ministry of Health. Presidents and ministers may change, but the office and the agenda of the ministry as far as health issues are concerned, remain constant.
Describe one moment in your life when you have felt that your work has been worth all the sweat and toil.
When I look back at everything I have been involved with throughout my career, I can only hope that WHO has contributed at least a little to improve the health of people around the world.
Moments that move me the most are those when I realize that the advice given by WHO is taken seriously by the government.
One specific moment comes to mind that made me very proud. A few weeks ago, President Megawati Soekarnoputri attended the health day celebrations here, and watched several thousand members of the national heart foundation of various age groups perform aerobics together. This was a scene symbolic of the nation's commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Watching the glistening faces of those who exercised with such enthusiasm brought a lump to my throat.
What do you do to promote a healthy lifestyle?
I exercise regularly, I gave up smoking and I try to smile as much as I can.
The problem with cigarette smoking is that you know it is not good for health, and yet people get so dependent that rationality disappears. I am happy that I was able to give up smoking after 17 years.
Your country, Norway, is so far away. Do you ever feel homesick?
I love my life here. I am single, but I have a lot of friends. Surrounded all the time by friends, colleagues and relatives who visit, and the doing the work I love, keeps me happy and healthy.