Thursina Medical Clinic (TMC) held education and free laboratory tests on Saturday (August 9th). The event is part of the Health Promotion and Prevention program, held regularly every six months. The goal is to provide health counselling to the public and facilitate early detection of diseases, particularly for non-communicable diseases, hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM). Dr. Muthmainah presented the importance of early detection, preventing complications, and how to improve the quality of life for hypertension and diabetes patients.
According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), based on doctor's diagnosis among residents aged over 15, was 2.2 percent. It shows an increase compared to the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data. Meanwhile, there was a slight rise in the prevalence of hypertension, based on the doctor's diagnosis in people aged 18 years old and more, from 8.4 to 8.6 percent. The data has revealed that millions of people in Indonesia live with chronic diseases in which both diseases pose a serious national health concern.
Ustadzah Titis Widayanti, MMRS., the Manager of TMC, stated a hypertension patient is someone whose blood pressure is above the normal limit, which is ≥140/90 mmHg. "Hypertension is often called the 'silent killer' because it doesn't always cause symptoms, but it can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart disease," she said.
DM patients are those who experience a blood sugar metabolism disorder, characterized by high blood sugar levels. Some risk factors include an unhealthy diet (high in salt, carbohydrates, sugar, and fat), lack of physical activity, obesity, family history, smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as prolonged stress.
Complaints such as dizziness or headaches, fatigue, frequent thirst and urination (especially at night), blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, or tingling in the hands or feet should be checked immediately. Early detection is crucial since hypertension and diabetes often have no early symptoms.
Lifestyle, furthermore, plays a role. TMC encourages participants and the entire community to maintain a balanced, nutritious diet, limiting their intake of carbohydrates, sugar, salt, and fat. It also suggests regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol. "Patients with hypertension or diabetes should have regular check-ups with their doctor and take their medication as directed. A healthy lifestyle is able to improve patients' quality of life and prevent complications," she advised.
In addition to counselling, 19 participants received free laboratory tests. For Prolanis DM patients, the tests included HbA1C and blood chemistry tests (microalbuminuria, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides). Meanwhile, Prolanis Hypertension patients obtained the same blood chemistry tests without HbA1C.
TMC is a primary clinic, a first-level healthcare facility focused on basic services, collaborating with some leading hospitals in Malang for referrals to specialist doctors and inpatient care. (sls/lil)
