Jakarta, July 18th 2023. Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FKUI) collaborated with Harapan Kita Heart and Blood Vessel Hospital (RSJPDHK), Universitas Indonesia Hospital (RSUI), and Indonesian Air Force of the Indonesian National Armed Force to hold community service activities in Morotai Island Regency on the upcoming Thursday (20/7). It is done as a form of service by cardiologists in order to improve the health quality of Indonesian citizens.
Morotai Regency, placed in one of outermost island in Indonesia, has 77.106 population. In this regency, health workers still face many challenges. There are only 17 specialists and 47 general practitioners. Medical practitioners who are able to do training for heart health services are limited by both numbers and distance. To answer these challenges, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FKUI) along with partners will hold a series of community service activities for the residents of Morotai in hope that it will reach 600 adults and 100 children.
The Chief Executive of Morotai Island Regency Community Service and Research, dr. Ade Meidian Ambari, SpJP, FIHA, mentioned that this activity is also supported by the Morotai Island Regency Government, Indonesian Heart Association, PERKI Foundation, and Indonesian Cardiovascular Foundation (YKVI). He hoped that this project would grow awareness within the society—especially regarding the risk factor of cardiovascular disease and early detection of rheumatic and congenital heart disease—, to lower the rate of cardiovascular disease and stunting in Morotai Island Regency.
During the community service, there will be free training programs for medical personnel to improve their competence. The training will include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), basic electrocardiography (ECG), and cardiovascular emergency. This training is crucial especially for general practitioners and nurse—since most emergency cases are related to cardiovascular, such as cardiac arrest, heart attack, pulmonary edema, and malignant arrhythmia.
The cardiologists will also provide counseling for the civilians, government employee, Indonesian Army personnel, community cadre, and students. The counseling will discuss hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, and risk factor of cardiovascular disease in hope to broaden their knowledge and improve their competence in health-related field.
Following that, the cardiologists will provide echocardiography as an additional assessment for early detection of various cardiovascular disorders. Echocardiography is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses ultrasound to produce an imagining of the structure and information of heart function as well as the condition of blood vessels. With this method, it is hoped that the citizens could detect cardiovascular disorders on groups with higher risk earlier.
Head of the Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FKUI), dr. Renan Sukmawan, S.T., Ph.D., SpJP(K), MARS, hope that this project will be the pioneer to show that cardiologists’ role is not limited to early detection and treatment for cardiovascular diseases, but also to help solving the problem of stunting with an even distribution of healthcare service.
On the other hand, Harapan Kita Heart and Blood Vessel Hospital’s Cardiologist as well as Research and Community Service Team Coordinator, dr. Bambang Widyantoro, SpJP(K), Ph.D., explained that hypertension or high blood pressure is the main risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other blood vessel disorders. With the shift of lifestyle among multiple groups of society, it is important to be aware of a healthy lifestyle and have a routine check up for blood pressure.
dr. Bambang said, “Heart disease can be found in children, especially rheumatic and congenital heart disease which are impactful to a children’s growth process. Prevention and early detection are hoped to be able optimize the potential of Morotai Island Regency’s young generation. By detecting hypertension and heart disease earlier, we can prevent serious complication and promote optimal and continuous heart health.”
Congenital heart disease is a defect commonly found on newborn babies and is identified as one of the most common cause of death during the first year after birth. Harapan Kita Heart and Blood Vessel Hospital’s Cardiologist, dr. Sisca Natalia Siagian, SpJP(K), mentioned that congenital heart disease could hamper children’s growth and increase the risk of stunting. It can be prevented by early detection and proper treatment, followed by ensuring an optimal growth on children.
“The screening service for congenital heart disease in Morotai Island Regency is hoped to be able to reach citizens who are experiencing difficulty in accessing healthcare services, especially heart service,” said dr. Sisca who is also part of the Research and Community Service Team.
Aside from training, counseling, and providing check-up in healthcare, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FKUI) along with partners will build a water system and clean water storage at Waringin Village in Morotai Regency. The water system and storage are build as an attempt to provide clean water for a long term for citizens of Morotai Island who are having difficulties in getting clean water.
