Prolanis as an Effort to Curb Diabetes and Hypertension in the Productive Age

Jakarta — The Social Security Admin Agency (BPJS) Kesehatan is promoting promotive and preventive measures through the Chronic Disease Management Programme (Prolanis) Muda to raise awareness among the productive-age public about the importance of maintaining health from an early age to prevent diabetes and hypertension. Chief Executive Officer Prihati Pujowaskito said Prolanis Muda is part of sustaining the National Health Insurance (JKN) programme through strengthening a healthy lifestyle culture and the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) among the younger generation. ‘The Prolanis Muda programme is a sustainable JKN effort through the strengthening of a healthy lifestyle culture and gotong royong since the productive age,’ she said at Padjadjaran University, Bandung City, on Wednesday. She explained the programme focuses on preventing chronic diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which are now found increasingly among under-45s. She explained that hypertension and diabetes often do not present symptoms in the early stage, so many patients only realise their condition after serious complications. ‘Hypertension and diabetes often have no complaints. When the condition becomes heavy, complaints appear, even though damage may have occurred for years,’ she said. Complications from both diseases can cause permanent damage to organs, such as heart enlargement and blockage of blood vessels. Therefore, prevention and early detection must be carried out massively through routine health checks and public education. She said the measure is also important to sustain the financing of national health services. The agency invites JKN participants and the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle through group exercise, including running five kilometres or walking. ‘We invite the public and JKN participants, especially Prolanis Muda, to run together for five kilometres. Those who are strong can run; those who are not strong can walk,’ she said. In addition to focusing on curative services, BPJS Kesehatan continues to educate the public about the importance of maintaining health from an early age through diet to stay healthy and productive.