World Stroke Day Becomes A Momentum Strengthening The Movement For Healthy Life Communities

Neural specialist Untung Gunarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - neuroscientist Untung Gunarto Sp.S. MM said World Stroke Day, which is celebrated every October 29 is a momentum to strengthen the movement of people (Germas) to live a healthy life. "World Stroke Day is a good momentum to strengthen healthy living behavior as stated in Germas," said Untung Gunarto, quoted from Antara, Saturday, October 29. The doctor, who practices in a number of hospitals in Purwokerto, Central Java, explained that one of the efforts to maintain heart health is to implement healthy living movements such as moving actively, exercising, maintaining a diet, and not smoking. This healthy lifestyle, he said, is in line with the government's efforts to continue to promote Germas of Healthy Life in order to prevent non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and so on. Meanwhile, Untung also said that World Stroke Day is the right moment to increase education to the public regarding stroke. "For example, remind the public that every minute is very valuable when someone has a stroke, so someone who has a stroke must be immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment," he said. He said, if a stroke sufferer gets treatment in a short time, it can reduce the risk of death and disability. "If possible, before three hours from the initial time the attack has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment, it must optimize the time, because there is no other treatment effort for first aid other than bringing the patient to the hospital," he said. Doctor Untung also explained that someone needs to be taken to the hospital immediately if they feel a number of symptoms such as an asymmetric smile, movement of half of the limbs weakened, difficulty speaking, numbness or lethargicity, or blurred eye and severe headache. "The commemoration of World Stroke Day is a reminder for the public to immediately take patients with stroke to the hospital if they find signs of a stroke, such as weak, numbness, disturbed speech and other signs," he said. Meanwhile, Deputy for Coordination for Health Quality Improvement and Population Development of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Agus Suprapto said that Healthy Life Germas includes seven steps, namely carrying out physical activities, eating fruit and vegetables, not smoking, not consuming alcoholic drinks, carrying out regular health checks, maintaining environmental cleanliness, and using latrines.