At least 4,000 community health centers (puskesmas) in Indonesia have been equipped with congenital hypothyroidism screening (SHK) facilities for early detection of thyroid hormone deficiency in newborns, a Health Ministry official informed on Friday.
“The 2021 data showed that as many as four thousand puskesmas have carried out SHK services and two thousand puskesmas officers have received training,” acting head of child and maternal nutrition and health at the ministry, Ni Made Diah, said at a press conference on the “Transformation of Primary Services to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates” in Jakarta.
Children born with congenital hypothyroidism disorders must be detected early and if they test positive, they must immediately be provided treatment so that they can grow and develop according to their genetic potential, she explained.
Early detection and correct treatment of congenital hypothyroidism could prevent children from experiencing irreversible growth and cognitive delays, Diah added.
“Currently, 1,500 out of 4.4 million newborns in Indonesia are estimated to be born with congenital hypothyroidism, which refers to a global prevalence of 1: 3,000 births,” she informed.
Congenital hypothyroidism has an impact on a family’s financial situation because of the child’s condition, Diah said.
“The government must prepare special schools and teachers for those children. In fact, the demographic bonus will not be achieved (if the issue is not addressed),” she added.
Symptoms and signs of congenital hypothyroidism that can be observed after one month of birth include short body length, limpness, low activity level, yellow baby, large tongue, choking easily, hoarse voice, big belly button, and dilated crown.
“The target of SHK detection is newborns aged three to four days with a blood sample taken from the heel. Babies with medical conditions need to be screened, while normal babies should be screened for three days,” she said.
SHK facilities need to be provided across Indonesia, she added. The Health Ministry, through the Health Transformation Program, has continued to expand SHK services at the primary service level or puskesmas, whose number has reached 10,260 nationally.
“The implementation of SHK must be carried out throughout Indonesia because the process is very easy by taking a blood sample of a three-day-old baby dripped onto filter paper. This can be done in primary health (settings),” she informed.
Furthermore, the blood samples will be sent to the referral laboratories of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Sarjito Hospital, or Dr. Soetomo Hospital.
“The treatment of positive patients will require drugs that are covered by the Health Social Security Insurance (BPJS Kesehatan),” Diah added.
Source: Antara News