Non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disorders, are no longer just a scourge for the elderly. Data from the Ministry of Health shows a phenomenon known as the 'younger epidemic', where specialists' waiting rooms are now filled with patients of productive age, ranging from 30 to 40 years old.
Cardiologist and vascular specialist, Dr. Bayushi Eka Putra, highlighted that plaque formation in blood vessels can occur at an early age. The triggering factors are quite complex, ranging from a sedentary lifestyle, high stress levels, an unhealthy diet, to genetic factors from family medical history. This condition demands that the public be more proactive in undergoing regular health check-ups.
On the other hand, rapid developments in medical technology do offer great hope for patients, with recovery chances reaching over 95 percent. However, these innovations require significant operational costs. The use of advanced devices such as pressure wire sensors (FFR) or IVUS/OCT probes in cardiac interventions significantly adds to the medical cost burden.
This situation is further exacerbated by the projection of medical inflation in Indonesia reaching 17.8 percent in 2026, the highest figure in Asia. This cost surge is directly proportional to the drastic increase in health insurance claims, especially for critical illness cases such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Facing this reality, experts suggest the importance of having multi-layered health protection as part of long-term financial planning. The synergy between basic coverage from BPJS Kesehatan and additional protection from private insurance is considered the most effective step to minimize the financial burden when medical risks occur.
The government, through the Financial Services Authority (OJK), continues to strengthen regulations in the insurance ecosystem to ensure the sustainability of benefits for the public. Beyond strengthening risk management, education on a healthy lifestyle remains the main foundation. This is because prevention through a quality lifestyle is far more efficient than bearing ever-soaring treatment costs.
