Education and Early Detection of Preeclampsia are Important to Reduce the Risk of Pregnancy Complications

JAKARTA - Preeclampsia is still a frightening scourge for the health of mothers and children in Indonesia. Based on national data, this pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure contributes to a significant Maternal Mortality Rate (AKI), reaching 5 to 10 percent of the total pregnancies in the country.

This condition often appears without noticeable symptoms, so many pregnant women only realize the danger when the condition has entered a critical stage.

In order to commemorate World Preeclampsia Day which falls on May 22, educational efforts are also encouraged to increase public awareness. One of them is through a health seminar agenda held by Holywings Peduli at Livehouse Semarang on Sunday, May 10.

This activity highlights how fatal the impact of preeclampsia is if it is not handled with the right medical procedures, considering that globally this condition is responsible for 70,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 fetal deaths every year.

As a speaker at the seminar, dr. Deviana Ogilve from Siloam Hospital Semarang explained, preeclampsia is a complex medical condition that requires special attention from the second trimester of pregnancy.

Symptoms that should be aware of include swelling in several parts of the body, vision disorders, to blood pressure that suddenly jumps drastically.

According to Deviana, routinely doing pregnancy checks or antenatal care is the main defense fortress for prospective mothers.

"Preeclampsia often appears without obvious symptoms in the beginning, so regular examinations during pregnancy are very important. With early detection, the risk of complications for mother and baby can be significantly suppressed," said dr. Deviana.

He also emphasized that a healthy lifestyle and monitoring blood pressure independently at home can be an effective preventive key for families.

In line with this, the President Commissioner of the Holywings Group and Chairman of the Holywings Care Program, Andrew Susanto, emphasized that public understanding of pregnancy risks must be strengthened. Through access to free health services provided, his party also hopes that pregnant women will no longer hesitate to check their physical condition regularly.

Apart from education, assistance in the form of health facilities such as oxygen tanks and wheelchairs is also distributed to strengthen the operation of Posyandu in the Tanjung Mas, Semarang area.

"We see that there are still many people who do not understand the dangers of preeclampsia. Through this seminar, we want to encourage more massive education while providing free health services and real assistance for health facilities and the surrounding environment," said Andrew.

Appreciation also came from figures and people around, who believe that this educational step can have a direct impact on the quality of citizen health. The presence of free health check facilities for adolescents and adult women is considered crucial in early detection of risk factors for non-communicable diseases that can trigger complications during future pregnancies.

This kind of education is also expected to reduce the stigma and fear of the community in facing pregnancy medical procedures.