Health Services Are Obstructed by Covid-19, Beware of the Effects on PTM

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Advisory Board and Ethics Council for the Association of Indonesian Cardiovascular Specialists (PERKI), dr. Anwar Santoso, said the disruption of medical services non-communicable disease (PTM) can have negative impacts due to limited access such as delayed diagnosis.

“This could result in an increase in the stage of the disease, disruption of the therapy process (treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care), and an increase in behavioral risk factors, such as being physically inactive,” he said.

NCDs, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, and mental disorders are known to cause more than 70 percent of deaths in the world as well as create enormous financial and social burdens in various countries, including high, middle and low income earners.

In Indonesia, the incidence of heart and blood vessel disease is increasing from year to year. In 2016, it was reported that the death rate in Indonesia was 1,863,000 people, 35 percent of which was caused by cardiovascular disease.

With the onset of a pandemic COVID-19, it is not impossible that this condition can get worse. Therefore, according to Anwar, apart from implementing the Covid-19 health protocol, it is also important to pay attention to efforts to optimize prevention and treatment of PTM, especially cardiovascular disease.

Secretary General of the Association of Indonesian Hospitals (PERSI), dr. Lia G. Partakusuma, said that health services affected by Covid-19 have made PTM, especially cardiovascular disease, one of the biggest health threats to society in the long term. This condition is exacerbated by the limited space for the community to obtain health services.

However, Lia said various health facilities in Indonesia had made various efforts to maintain the continuity of their services, especially for PTM patients. One of the efforts to ensure PTM patient service continues amid the pandemic is by utilizing technology telehealth which allows remote consultation between patient and doctor online.

This activity opens access for patients from all regions in Indonesia to continue the treatment program without having to come to the hospital. With advances in information technology, patients can still communicate directly with doctors and get treatment directions according to the patient’s needs and conditions.

“However, if there are severe symptoms, then of course the patient is required to immediately get help to the nearest health service facility by implementing it health protocol Covid-19, “he added.

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