World Digestive Health Day: Bandung Council Member Urges Citizens to Use Universal Health Coverage for Early Detection
A member of the Bandung City Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) Commission IV, Agung Firmansyah Sumantri, has urged the public to pay greater attention to digestive health as an important part of maintaining quality of life. The appeal was made whilst attending the World Digestive Health Day 2026 commemoration at the Gaia Hotel in Bandung last weekend.
According to Agung, who is also a medical doctor, digestive tract health plays a major role in maintaining the body’s immune system. However, many people still consider digestive disorders to be minor problems and therefore often receive late treatment.
“Digestive health is one of the main keys to maintaining quality of life and physical fitness. Therefore, diet and a healthy lifestyle must become a shared concern,” Agung said.
This year’s World Digestive Health Day commemoration carries the theme ‘Rise Up Your Gut’. The theme invites the public to increase awareness of the importance of maintaining gut health through a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Agung explained that simple steps such as increasing fibre consumption, eating nutritious food, meeting daily water intake requirements, and reducing fast food can help maintain the health of the digestive system.
He also reminded the public that stress and an unhealthy lifestyle are factors that can trigger various digestive disorders. Because of this, public education must continue to be strengthened so that health awareness grows from an early age.
In addition to encouraging a healthy lifestyle, Agung invited the public to utilise the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme that is currently running in Bandung City to obtain health services more easily and equitably.
“With UHC in place, the public need not hesitate to have their health conditions checked. Early detection is very important to prevent diseases from developing into more serious conditions,” he stated.
Agung expressed hope that the momentum of World Digestive Health Day 2026 would serve as a reminder for the public to care more about digestive health and make it part of daily habits. “Do not wait until you are sick to start caring about your health. Let us make healthy living a habit for a better future,” he said.