Indonesia Ranks Fifth In Diabetes Cases In The World

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono said Indonesia still ranks fifth with the most diabetes cases in the world.

"Indonesia ranks fifth with diabetes in the world. From the evaluation, it appears that one in ten people in Indonesia suffers from diabetes," said Dante Saksono Harbuwono when he was a speaker at the Monthly Community Ophthalmology Open Discussion (OFKOMers) quoted by Antara, Sunday, November 21 night.

Dante said North Maluku had the highest number of cases of diabetes or diabetes in Indonesia. Nearly a quarter of the population in the region suffers from diabetes.

Apart from North Maluku, said Dante, other areas that are also experiencing the disease known as diabetes are also in DKI Jakarta and the surrounding area.

The results of a health survey conducted by the Indonesian Ministry of Health stated that as many as 14 percent of obese patients are currently in Jakarta.

"In Jakarta, about a quarter of people have hypertension, obesity, diabetes. Mothers experience more metabolic syndrome," he said.

Dante estimates that the number could increase with unhealthy living habits.

"The study in Jakarta in 2026 the diabetes rate is estimated at 12.1 percent. This means that one in eight people in Jakarta suffers from diabetes. Meanwhile, in sub-urban areas, Jakarta-Depok and others, the diabetes rate could be even higher," he said.

Dante said Asians tend to be more at risk of developing diabetes than people of European descent, even if their body mass index is low or not obese. Unlike in developed countries, diabetes is mostly experienced by obese people.

According to Dante, several studies have concluded that the risk of diabetes overshadows Asians because they have less muscle and more belly fat.

"Diabetes in Asia and Caucasians is characterized by genetic and epigenetic factors that are triggered by a decrease in insulin production in a person's pancreas," he said.

Dante said diabetes causes microvascular and macrovascular complications and even both occur simultaneously.

"Studies show kidney complications in Asia 60 percent, 40 percent in Caucasians. Asian people in addition to tend to be diabetic, he tends to easily experience complications in the kidneys," he said.