News on heart disease available on Internet

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)