Govt Provides Health Service for the Elderly through Posbindu

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Oleh Putri, Selasa, 15 Mei 2018 | 15:32 WIB - Redaktur: Penni Patmawati Rusman - 1K


Jakarta, InfoPublik - Indonesia Ministry of Health mentioned that 1 out of 4 Indonesian senior citizen aged over 60 suffer from hypertension among other diseases. In order for the elderly to live a healthy and independent life, Ministry of Health prioritized health services for them through integrated health counselling posts (Posbindu).

Ministry’s Director of Family Health Eni Gustina stated that the second most common disease suffered by the elderly is rheumatic. As a matter of fact, some of them suffer from 1 up to 3 diseases at the same time. To solve this problem, Eni Gustina emphasized the importance of close cooperation between all relevant parties. “One of the attempts is through the health service that sets Posbindu activity for Elderly as the spearhead," she told a media briefing during the commemoration of the National Elderly Day in Jakarta on Monday (5/14).

She further explained that in the Posbindus, the elderly will be screened and classified based on the level of independence. Posbindu will provide preventive and promoting efforts for independent group to help them maintain physical activities and consume balanced nutrition. These efforts are expected to help them live healthy, longer lives.

Meanwhile, Posbindu will provide a service called Home Care for those who are categorized as dependent or severely dependent group. This service  will be provided by the community health center (Puskesmas) for families with senior family members. 

"This program is organized by collaboration with related ministries/institutions, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) that have programs for the elderly," said Dr. Eni. (Translator: Erik Limantara)