Indonesian President Joko Widodo Highlights High Mortality Rates from Non-Communicable Diseases

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia recently called attention to the high mortality rates from non-communicable diseases in the country, specifically mentioning stroke, heart disease, and cancer as major concerns. In an effort to address this pressing health issue, the Indonesian government is taking steps to distribute essential medical equipment such as ultrasound machines, electrocardiograms (EKGs), CT scans, and mammograms to community health centers and hospitals across the nation.

However, President Widodo acknowledged that Indonesia faces a significant shortage of specialist doctors, with the country ranking 147th in the world in terms of its doctor-to-patient ratio. This shortage poses a challenge in effectively treating and managing non-communicable diseases. The President also highlighted the issue of depression among participants in the specialist doctor education program, with 22.4% of them experiencing symptoms of depression.

Why this matters: The high mortality rates from non-communicable diseases in Indonesia emphasize the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and access to specialized medical care. Addressing this issue is vital for the well-being of the Indonesian population and the country's overall development.

To tackle these challenges, President Widodo stressed the need to expand access to specialist education for doctors while maintaining proper screening and qualifications. By increasing the number of qualified specialist doctors, Indonesia aims to improve its capacity to diagnose and treat non-communicable diseases effectively. Additionally, the President set a goal to reduce the stunting rate in Indonesia from 37.6% in 2014 to 14% by 2024, recognizing the importance of addressing malnutrition and its impact on overall health outcomes.

President Widodo's statements highlight the Indonesian government's commitment to improving healthcare services and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases on the population. "We must work together to ensure that all Indonesians have access to quality healthcare and the necessary medical equipment to prevent and treat these diseases," the President said, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to address this critical issue.

Key Takeaways

• Indonesia faces high mortality from non-communicable diseases like stroke, heart disease, cancer.
• Indonesia ranks 147th globally in doctor-to-patient ratio, with 22.4% of specialist trainees depressed.
• Govt aims to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to specialized medical care.
• Expanding specialist doctor education is key to better diagnose and treat non-communicable diseases.
• Govt targets reducing stunting rate from 37.6% in 2014 to 14% by 2024 to improve health.