News on heart disease available on Internet

JAKARTA (JP): A new heart and stroke foundation was set up yesterday with the mission to spread information on the diseases.

"Unlike other foundations, we are more concerned with public information services," Lily I Rilantono, chairwoman of Yayasan Peduli Jantung dan Stroke, or Foundation for the Awareness of Heart and Stroke Diseases, said yesterday.

Lily, a cardiologist, believed that information was one of the determining factors in preventing heart disease and stroke.

And as a part of its commitment, the new foundation has started spreading information through a website: http://www.dnet.net.id/kardio/.

Lily said that the information is in the Indonesian language and consists of practical and popular information on the diseases' symptoms and prevention.

Those who want to ask questions about heart disease and stroke can send them through e-mail to kardio@dnet.net.id.

"Many people are still unaware that their lifestyle is one of the reasons for getting disease and information can help them to understand this," Lily said.

The foundation will also spread information about the diseases through radio and TV interviews, newspapers, books and leaflets, said Lily.

In only 20 years, from 1975 to 1995, heart disease has become the number one killer here, followed by tuberculosis, respiratory infections and diarrhea, she said.

Noted figures and experts are behind the establishment of the foundation, such as, businessman Tanri Abeng, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital's director Ahmad Djojosugito, Minister of Health Farid A. Moeloek and businesswoman Martha Tilaar.

So far, there is only one foundation known for its serious activities in preventing heart disease in the country, the Indonesian Heart Foundation, which was established 17 years ago. (ste)