inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Health hopes that the public would make use the birth day screening program, which will be launched in 2025, to detect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for more effective treatment.

The Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, Siti Nadia Tarmizi says that the asthma prevalence and COPD in Indonesia reached 29.6 million for asthma, and 16 million for COPD.

Siti noted that the symptoms of asthma and COPD are quite similar, namely shortness of breath with most victims being men.

"In non-communicable diseases, there are three factors, namely heredity, environment, and behavior. As for COPD, the two biggest risk factors that have a big influence are exposure to pollutants in the workplace and behavior, especially smoking," said Director Siti Nadia.

Director Siti says that in relation to the work sector, most of the victims are those who work in supply of electricity, hot water, steam and cold air, then mining and excavation, construction, and processing industry.

The disease can appear 10-20 years later or in the elderly, so early prevention is important. Therefore, his party is making prevention efforts such as through education, policies, and early detection.

As for educational efforts, cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to display the air quality index. Additionally, providing education and information to the public about air conditions, so that they can adjust their activities outside.

"The government recommends a clean air policy, encourages the use of environmentally friendly transportation, the use of electric cars, increasing green spaces, and so on. So, including policies for WFO and WFH, it can also be one of the considerations for us to reduce exposure to air pollution," explained Director Siti Nadia.

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