Expert battles Indonesian health ignorance

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.